Gujarat to Get 18 Advanced Cataract Surgery Machines Worth ₹8.85 Crore

Where the Machines Are Going

How the Technology Helps, Simply Explained

In phacoemulsification, surgeons use ultrasound energy to break the cloudy lens into tiny fragments and remove them through a very small cut, before placing a new artificial lens. The new machines are designed to make this safer and smoother:

• Precise control: Surgeons can adjust ultrasound energy, suction and fluid flow with a foot pedal, as each surgery requires.
• Stable eye pressure: A built-in system helps prevent sudden pressure drops inside the eye during surgery, a known risk.
• Less heat: The handpiece reduces heat near the incision, helping to limit swelling of the cornea after surgery.

The result is aimed at fewer complications and faster recovery.

Why It Matters: Restoring Sight Where It’s Needed Most

Cataract is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in India, especially among older people. For many families, the cost of surgery at a private hospital is a barrier. Advanced machines in government hospitals mean patients can get modern, high-quality surgery without paying for it.

The spread of machines, from big cities like Ahmedabad and Surat to towns such as Morbi, Vadnagar and Himmatnagar, also means patients outside major cities may not need to travel as far for treatment.

When to See an Eye Doctor

• Blurred or cloudy vision that keeps getting worse
• Difficulty seeing at night or glare from lights
• Faded colours or frequent changes in spectacle power

Anyone with these symptoms, especially those above 50, should get an eye check-up at the nearest government hospital.

The Bottom Line

With 18 new machines, Gujarat’s government hospitals are set to offer faster, safer cataract surgery, free for patients who need it most.

With inputs from IANS.