First: Is Cataract Surgery Actually Necessary?
Cataract surgery is the only effective treatment for a cataract. No medication, eye drop or diet change can reverse a cloudy lens. Once a cataract begins to affect daily life - reading, driving, recognising faces - surgery is the answer.
The good news is that cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed and consistently successful procedures in all of medicine. At Eye One Centre, Kangra, it is a day-care procedure - you arrive in the morning and go home the same day.
The Technique: What is Phaco Cataract Surgery (MICS)?
At Eye One Centre we perform Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS) - also called phacoemulsification or "phaco." This is the gold standard technique used in the best eye hospitals in India and globally.
Here is how it works in simple terms:
- A tiny incision less than 2mm is made in the cornea. No large cuts, no stitches.
- The cloudy lens is broken up using gentle ultrasound energy and removed through the small opening.
- A premium intraocular lens (IOL) is folded and inserted through the same incision, where it unfolds and replaces the natural lens.
- The incision self-seals - no sutures required. Surgery is complete.
The entire procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes. Performed under anaesthetic eye drops only - no injections, no general anaesthesia. Patients are awake and feel no pain.
🔗 Full procedure details: See our Cataract Surgery service page - IOL options, technique and what makes Eye One Centre different.
Choosing the Right Lens: IOL Options at Eye One
One of the most important decisions in cataract surgery is the choice of intraocular lens. Dr. Gitanjli Sood Sirkek guides each patient through the options based on their lifestyle, vision needs and eye health.
Monofocal IOL
Clear vision at one distance, usually far. Reading glasses may still be needed for near tasks. The most widely used lens globally.
Multifocal IOL
Good vision at both distance and near, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses. Ideal for patients wanting spectacle independence.
Toric IOL
For patients with astigmatism. Corrects both cataract and cylindrical power simultaneously - many patients achieve clear vision without glasses for the first time.
PRELEX (Presbyopia Correction)
A specialised lens approach for patients with age-related near vision loss, restoring reading ability alongside cataract removal.
🔗 Not sure which IOL suits you? Meet Dr. Gitanjli Sood Sirkek - with 15,000+ cataract surgeries, she will find the right lens for your eyes and lifestyle.
Your Surgery Journey at Eye One, Kangra - Step by Step
How it works at Eye One Centre, Kangra
Day 1 - Pre-operative scans: Eye scans, biometry and IOL power calculation. Around 30-45 minutes. You go home and return the next morning.
Day 2 - Surgery day: Arrive at 8 AM. Dilating and anaesthetic drops applied. Surgery takes 20-30 minutes. Protective shield placed. Discharged by 10-10:30 AM.
Day 3 onwards - Recovery: Vision checked at 24 hours. Second review at 7 days, third at 1 month. Most patients see significantly more clearly within the first 24-48 hours.
What Does Cataract Surgery Feel Like?
This is what patients ask most. The honest answer: most people find it far easier than they expected.
- You are awake but fully relaxed
- Anaesthetic drops keep the eye comfortable - no injection, no general anaesthesia
- You may see light and colour but nothing distressing
- There is no pain during the procedure
- The team talks you through every step
Afterwards, mild grittiness or watering is normal for the first day or two and settles quickly with the prescribed drops.
Recovery: What to Expect Week by Week
First 24 Hours
- Rest with the eye shield in place
- Avoid rubbing or touching the eye
- Begin prescribed antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops
- Mild redness or watering is normal - most patients already see better than before surgery
First Week
- Avoid dusty or smoky environments
- No swimming or water contact with the eye
- Avoid heavy lifting or sharp bending
- Continue drops as instructed - critical for safe healing
- Reading and light screen use generally fine from Day 2 onwards
First Month
- Vision continues to settle and sharpen
- Glasses prescription reviewed and updated if needed
- Driving typically resumes within 1-2 weeks if vision allows
- Attend all follow-up appointments without fail
🔗 If you are diabetic: Recovery may need additional monitoring. Learn about our Medical Retina and diabetic eye care services and how diabetes affects healing.
Results: What Can You Expect After Surgery?
For most patients, the results are life-changing. Vision that was blurred, dim or obscured by glare can be restored to a clarity not experienced in years.
- Dramatically clearer, brighter vision - sharper than before the cataract developed
- Improved colour perception - whites whiter, blues bluer
- Reduced glare and night-time halos
- Reduced dependence on glasses - especially with multifocal or toric IOLs
- High patient satisfaction - cataract surgery consistently ranks among the highest globally for surgical outcome satisfaction
Dr. Gitanjli Sood Sirkek discusses realistic expectations with every patient during the pre-operative consultation.
🔗 Other conditions can affect outcomes: Conditions like glaucoma, cornea disease or retinal disorders influence results. Our team assesses all of these before surgery. See all our eye care services.
Why Patients From Across Himachal Pradesh Choose Eye One, Kangra
Dr. Gitanjli Sood Sirkek - Chief Surgeon, Eye One Centre, Kangra
MBBS (IGMC Shimla) · MS (Delhi University) · DNB · FMRF Vitreo-Retina (Sankara Nethralaya) · FAICO · FICO UK (Merit) · FRCG II Glasgow
15,000+ cataract surgeries · 5,000+ retinal procedures · IJO Best Photograph Award 2024 & 2025 · Dr. MC Luthra Gold Medal 2022 · BEST OF IJO Award - retina surgical technique 2026
View full profile and credentials →
- International training, local availability - world-class fellowship credentials without travelling to Delhi or Chandigarh
- Proven surgical outcomes - 15,000+ surgeries across simple and complex cases
- Premium technology - modern phacoemulsification and full range of IOL options
- Day-care convenience - no hospital admission, home by mid-morning
- Personalised care - Dr. Gitanjli personally evaluates, operates and follows up every patient
- Serving all of HP - patients from Dharamshala, Palampur, Hamirpur, Mandi, Una and beyond
When Is the Right Time to Have Cataract Surgery?
Surgery is recommended when cataract begins to affect your daily activities. You do not need to wait until vision is severely impaired.
If you are unsure whether you are at that stage, a comprehensive eye examination at Eye One Centre, Kangra will give you a clear answer - with no pressure.
Final Thoughts
Cataract surgery is not something to fear. Performed by the right hands, with the right technology, it is one of the most reliable and life-improving procedures available.
At Eye One Centre, Kangra, every cataract patient receives the same standard of care that Dr. Gitanjli Sood Sirkek has built a career around: precise, compassionate, and outcome-focused.
If you or a family member has been told they have a cataract, or is experiencing blurred vision, glare, or frequent prescription changes - now is the right time to take the next step.
Book Your Cataract Consultation at Eye One Centre, Kangra
Speak with Dr. Gitanjli Sood Sirkek - Chief Surgeon with 15,000+ surgeries and internationally recognised expertise.
→ Cataract Surgery at Eye One Centre - service page