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Cataract surgery is a routine procedure with very good results. The principle: the clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens. Here is how it works in practice:
A note on the often advertised laser method: the femtosecond laser is used in fewer than 2 percent of cases in Germany and is not the standard. The established ultrasound method is considered safe and delivers very good results.
The artificial lens stays in the eye for life. Which type makes sense depends on your eyes and your everyday life.
| Lens type | What it can do | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Monofocal lens | Sharp vision at one distance, usually far. Glasses are still needed for other ranges. | Covered by statutory insurance |
| Toric lens | Also corrects astigmatism. | Extra fee |
| Multifocal or trifocal lens | Several focal points, often glasses-free. Stronger glare and halos at night are possible, however. | Extra fee |
| EDOF lens | A continuous range from far to intermediate, with fewer halos. Glasses may still be needed for near vision. | Extra fee |
The monofocal lens is the reliable standard option with a very predictable result. Premium lenses can bring more freedom from glasses, but not without trade-offs. Honest advice weighs these pros and cons for your situation.
The basic rule is simple: cataract surgery is medically necessary and therefore covered by statutory health insurance. This applies to the procedure itself, the standard lens (monofocal lens) and the pre- and post-examinations. As a statutory patient you usually pay nothing for this.
Extra costs only arise when you go beyond this base. This includes premium lenses (toric, multifocal, EDOF), the femtosecond laser and some special diagnostics offered as an individual health service (IGeL). Important and often misunderstood: since a change in the law, as a statutory patient you only pay the extra cost of a premium lens compared with the standard lens, not the whole operation.
| Service | Own share per eye (guide values) |
|---|---|
| Surgery plus standard lens (monofocal) | Usually nothing, covered by insurance |
| Toric lens | Extra fee, often about 500 to 1,000 euros |
| Multifocal, trifocal or EDOF lens | Extra fee, often about 1,000 to 2,500 euros |
| Femtosecond laser (optional) | Extra fee, often about 900 to 1,300 euros |
These figures are guide values only and vary by practice, lens and effort. The only binding figure is an individual cost estimate, which you receive before the operation. Clarify cover in advance with your insurer, and for privately insured people with your specific plan. And remember: premium services are voluntary. The standard care delivers a very good result, and you do not have to take any add-on.
Do not forget the eye drops after surgery
After the operation, different eye drops are needed over several weeks, often several times a day and on a tapering schedule. brite reliably reminds you of every application and checks for interactions with your other medicines.
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Healing is usually uncomplicated. In the first weeks the following applies:
A common but harmless late effect is the after-cataract. Here the back lens capsule clouds over months to years after surgery, and vision gets worse again. The treatment is simple: a laser opens the clouded capsule in a few minutes, as an outpatient, painlessly and covered by insurance. A new operation is not needed for this.
Warning signs after surgery
Complications are rare and most courses are uncomplicated. With these signs, however, you should not wait but see your eye doctor or the emergency eye service right away: a sudden drop in vision, increasing pain or redness of the eye, and flashes of light or a shadow or shower of spots in the field of vision, which can point to a retinal detachment.
From the first symptom to aftercare: with brite you keep the overview.
This article is for general information only and does not replace ophthalmological advice, diagnosis or treatment. Cost figures are non-binding guide values and may differ, the relevant figure being an individual cost estimate. With a sudden loss of vision, pain or warning signs, contact an eye practice or the emergency service right away.
