Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Cost in India

There are multiple factors that affect the overall cost of diabetic retinopathy treatment. The key factors are explained below- 

• Stage of Diabetic Retinopathy- There are four stages of diabetic retinopathy, and with each stage, the severity increases, and it becomes more complex to treat the condition. That’s why, if you seek treatment at an early stage, the treatment will cost less. And if you seek treatment at the most severe stage, the cost will be higher than expected. 
• Method of Treatment- Based on the severity of the condition, the doctor will recommend steroid injections (Anti-VEGF), laser treatment, or vitrectomy. The cost of each treatment method varies significantly, with injections being the least expensive and vitrectomy being the costlier treatment method. 
• Doctor’s & Anesthetist’s Fee- A retinal specialist is the best doctor to consult for diabetic retinopathy treatment. And an ophthalmologist with a specialization in retinal disorders will charge more for consultation and operation. Besides that, the surgery cost also involves the anesthetist’s fee. And the anesthesia cost will also differ depending on the treatment method. 
• Choice of Hospital- Each hospital or clinic has a fixed administration and treatment cost that varies based on the technology available, quality of care, staff, infrastructure, and several other factors. And in terms of infrastructure, technology, staff, and quality of care, private hospitals and clinics offer better services, due to which the treatment cost is more at such facilities. 
• Hospital-Related Expenses- During your stay at the hospital, you will have to bear all types of expenses, including nursing fees, room rent, bed charges, medical consumables, medications, meals, and much more. These expenses combined will also influence the overall cost of treatment. 
• Diagnostics & Evaluations- To identify the most suitable treatment method for diabetic retinopathy, the doctor recommends a series of tests. These tests include visual acuity, refraction, retinal or optical coherence tomography, fundus photography, or fluorescein angiography. The cost of these tests can make a considerable difference in the cost of treatment. 
• Post-Surgery Care and Follow-ups- Along with the surgery, you will also have to cover the expense of medications prescribed after surgery, including pain medicines, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Furthermore, you’ll have to take several follow-up consultations after the treatment to ensure that your eyes are healing and there are no chances of complications. These minor expenses also add up to the treatment cost.