What is Cataract Health Insurance?

A cataract health insurance simply refers to a health insurance policy that covers for the treatment of cataract, a common eye condition faced in old age but, which can also be triggered by injuries to the eye.

At Digit, the treatment for the same is included and covered under our daycare procedures – with no additional cost.

Cataract is an eye condition caused by the formation of a dense, cloudy area in the lens of the eye. It is largely common in older people and if left untreated, can lead to partial or complete blindness. 

How is Cataract caused?

There isn’t just one reason or cause for cataract. Although it is common in seniors, in India there has been a trend where cataract is also affecting those at the age of 50!

One of the reasons for the same could be due to the rise and prevalence of diabetes in India. Apart from diabetes and increasing age, the following are some of the causes of cataract:

• overproduction of oxidants, i.e. oxygen molecules that have been chemically altered due to normal daily life
• smoking
• ultraviolet radiation
• the long-term use of steroids and other medications
• certain diseases, such as diabetes
• trauma from past injuries to the eye
• radiation therapy

Symptoms of Cataract

• blurry vision
• trouble seeing at night
• seeing colors as faded
• increased sensitivity to glare
• halos surrounding lights
• double vision in the affected eye
• The need for frequent changes in prescription glasses

Types of Cataracts

People are usually under the misconception that cataract is of one kind only and is solely related to old age.

However, this isn’t true. Cataract can be of different types, depending on its cause and which part of the eye it is affecting. Below are the different types of cataract:

• Nuclear Cataracts: Forms in the middle of the lens and causes the nucleus (center of the eye) to turn yellow/brown.
  
• Cortical Cataracts: Wedge shaped, forms around the edge of the nucleus.
  
• Posterior Capsular Cataracts: Forms very fast as compared to other cataracts and affects the back of the eye lens.
  
• Congenital Cataracts: One of the types of cataracts that isn’t caused due to increasing age but is present from birth or formed during a baby’s first year.
  
• Secondary Cataracts: Caused due to another disease or underlying health condition such as diabetes and glaucoma. Additionally, even the use of steroids and other medications can lead to cataract.
  
• Traumatic Cataracts: Sometimes, trauma cataracts can develop after an injury to the eye, although this may take years to happen too.
  
• Radiation Cataracts: Forms after a person goes through radiation treatment for cancer. 

Is there a way to prevent Cataracts?

Yes, cataracts can be prevented primarily by maintaining your eye health and overall health and wellbeing as well. Some of the ways to prevent cataracts include:

• Wear sunglasses out in the sun to protect your eyes from UVB rays. 
• Go for regular eye checkups, especially if you commonly face eye problems or are above the age of 65.
• Stop smoking!
• Have a regular intake of fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants.
• As it goes with preventing other diseases as well – always try and maintain a healthy weight.
• If you are diabetic, keep your diabetes level in check. 

Are there any risk factors associated with Cataract?

Yes, there are some people who are unfortunately more prone to cataracts than others. Some of these risk factors include:

• increasing age
• heavy alcohol intake
• regular smoking
• obesity
• high blood pressure
• previous eye injuries
• family history of cataracts
• too much sun exposure
• diabetes
• exposure to radiation from X-rays and cancer treatments

• There is no natural cure for cataract apart from surgery - Unfortunately, as confirmed by the National Institute of Health there is currently no natural cure for cataract apart from surgery. Hence, to improve your vision and get through the symptoms and repercussions of cataract, you will need to get a cataract surgery done.
  
• Untreated cataract can lead to partial or complete blindness - As per one’s age and condition of the eye, symptoms can get worse with time and without getting it treated (through a surgery of course), it can lead to partial or complete blindness of the affected eye. Hence, it is important to opt for a cataract surgery if you or your parent does have cataract in one or both eyes to avoid worse repercussions.
  
• A cataract surgery successfully restores vision - The good news in this all is that cataract surgery is actually one of the safest surgeries, thanks to medical advancements. In fact, you barely need to be admitted for a few hours so it’s also a very short process (recovery is quick too!) as compared to other surgeries and the best bit is that it successfully restores one’s vision without any side effects! 
  
• Improves the quality of life - You know what they say, eyes are the windows to the soul and the window to the world! They might be just tiny pupils but we’re dependent on them in more ways than we can imagine. Hence, getting a cataract surgery improves not only one’s vision quality but also, overall quality of life 

Digit’s Health insurance covers cataract surgery under ‘Daycare Procedures’ as this qualifies as a medical treatment that needs hospital admission for under 24-hours due to medical advancements in treatment.

If you wish to get a cataract surgery done, and are insured with us – below is how you can make a claim:

A. Reimbursement Claim

• Let us know of the scheduled surgery and hospitalization in advance, or within two days of admission. However, since a cataract surgery is usually scheduled in advance, it’s better to inform us earlier, to avoid any last-minute problems! 
  
• You can inform us by calling us at 1800-258-4242 or email us at healthclaims@godigit.com and we will send you a link to upload all your required documents. Post the surgery, we will ensure the reimbursement is made at its earliest.

B. Cashless Claim

• If you’d like to go for a cashless claim, you can first choose the network hospital you want to get the cataract surgery done in here.
• Let us know at least 72-hours in advance at the above number or email.
  
• Display your e-health card at the network hospital desk and ask for the cashless request form. If all is good, your claim will be processed right there!