As regular readers know I usually try to keep close track of things people are searching for when the find PhilFAQS, the place on line where you learn the FAQS (Frequently Asked Questions) about living in the Philippines. That’s where the title of this post came from. That specific query has been typed and landed here at least 20 times in the past 20 days.
Well I already mentioned it in some detail here, where I talked about medical tourism at the grass roots as a business, but I’ll post in here again to make it easier to find.
photo credit: ClickFlashPhotos
I went to a doctor who practices here in Marilao at our local hospital, Nazarenus. The doctor was highly recommended in two ways … first by several other doctors whom I know and second by the fact that he just completed a similar procedure on my mother-in-law’s eye … and mother was ecstatic over the results. (any time you’re contemplating something you might be a little nervous about, always send in the 80 yo lady to test the waters first, 
.
His name is Alexander C. Santa Maria, M.D and he’s a board certified ophthalmologist (eye M.D.) and has operating privileges in several Metro Manila hospitals, and you can reach one of his offices at area code 44-711-5429. (to call from the US you would use 011-63 (the code for an international call and the country code for the Philippines) in front of this number.)
I first went in for a regular eye exam (about P400) and we talked about the options with the cataracts. The doc wanted me to try a special medication that was supposed to arrest further cataract growth for a month … I tried it, got no satisfaction and went back to the doctor and said, let’s do both eyes.
I had one session in his office that took a while where we measured both eyeballs to see what the biometrics of the cataract lenses should be, That ran a total of P1,000.
I also had to see my regular family doctor, Edgardo P. Guce, FPCP, FPCCP. (44-840-7948), an Internist and Pulmonologist, for routine blood work, chest x-ray and EKG to ‘certify” me as safe for “Dr. Santy” to operate on. These tests and Dr. Guce’s clearance ran about P1400 total.
Then my operation, consisting of Phacoemulsification, or phaco. A small incision is made on the side of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. Your doctor inserts a tiny probe into the eye. This device emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the lens so that it can be removed by suction. Most cataract surgery today is done by phacoemulsification, also called “small incision cataract surgery.” (this is the one you want! Recommended) for each eye (we did them two weeks apart) cost under P40,000 (each) (all in). The operations included 4 to 6 weeks of follow-up in office care … I’m scheduled for what might be my last appointment with Dr. Santy this coming Thursday.
So if you have been adding this up, we’re talking about six weeks total time so far and a grand total of a bit over P8,2000. At today’s Pesos/US Dollar rate that works out to under $1,750.00 USD, grand total including incidental eye drops, puto for the office staff (Google is your friend), tricycle rides, etc., but does not include Dr. Santiago’s Christmas gift for this year … the way my eyes feel, I owe him a very nice one.
I have some US estimates that indicate about $8,000 USD is close to a bottom-line price for this work in the US … so I think cost wise I did pretty well. Medical care-wise it would be hard to think of anything that could gave gone better. I wish I had had this work done years ago … it’s literally life changing … and talk about feeling younger
Hi Dave;
The price you paid was more than fair, and doubles its worth if you’re pleased with the outcome. I got a laugh out of sending the 80yo to test the waters first.
Being that you’re retired from the worlds largest non-nuclear powered Air Force, was not the cost covered by TriCare? When I had a short hospital here stay a couple of years ago, I was on the phone with TriCare and the young lady was joking, that, at the price I paid, it would be cheaper for the government to fly people here for medical service. Thirty days later I got the check from them.
The claim is almost ready to submit as we speak, Paul, by and by we will see what, if any they will pay. Lately I have heaed so many stories of what TRICARE _isn’t_ paying that I won’t be surprised by anything.
Mother actually gave me the idea od writing about the testing. We were stuck in traffic one day, about 6 or 7 of us in the car, waiting while traffic slowly inched around a detour at a bridge under repair. Just as it was our turn to inch around the barricade into the line of traffic on the detour, one of the construction guys moved the barricade and with sweeping gesture dent us across the bridge … very first ones, head of the line,
As we sped across I threw a comment toward the back, ..”See, they saw the handsome, rich kano in his shiny car and decided to give him priority. Aren’t you lucky to be with me?
Mother snapped back, “Lucky? We’ll be lucky if we aren’t dead. They are using the kano to test the bridge before they deem it safe for real Filipinos and we just happened to be stuck in here with you. Drive faster.”
I’ve written and will write more on the moving care here to the Philippines idea, Paul. very few seem to want to look at the dollars and cents. Let’s assume I had this eye operation under TRICARE Standard in the US. It would have run over $8,000, and depending n who the costs sharing, deductibles and catastrophic caps worked out, they would have had to pay something like $5,000 minimum. Here, even if the pay everything )no reduction in bills) their share is 75% of $1600 or less, do the max they will pay for me, even in a dream world, is $1200 … less than a quarter of what they would have paid in the US.
Instead of discouraging us ‘baby boomer retirees’ from seeking care in the Philippines, they ought to pay a bonus to entice overseas travel for care. It would pay all American tax payers, veterans and non-vets alike, a huge dividend.
Hey Dave;
Your Mother-in-law has quite a sence of humor. Any thing I get back from TriCare It just makes me feel lucky, sometimes they send a check, and other times they add the amount to my CAP. Once they sent me a check for $2,200.00. After many ph. calls and e-mails I deposited it in NFCU, and left it there. Three years letter I received a nasty letter from TriCare that the money was not mine, and had thirty days to return it. Now that is what I’d told them 3 years before, I think? So since I still had their money (I kept the interest) I sparked a check the next day with a letter listing who I’d spoke to and copies of all mail and e-mail we had exchanged. No responce from them, but they cashed my check.
Oh indeed she does have a sense of humor Paul. I have heard a number of Westerners make the statement ‘Filipinos don’t understand humor, especially sarcasm’. Well, these guys haven’t met a lot of Filipinos, that’s all. My MIL could meet you, decide she didn’t like you, talk with you a while and as the conversation went on, slice uou up like balaongna, pack you in a oix, abd you’d tuck the box ubnder your aem and walk away smiling, never knowing you’d been sliced up.
Now you have me hooke don the TRICARE thing … what’s a CAP?
On that overpay thing, I even had that happen with DFAS, on my civil service pay no less …they were paying me at the wrong rate, I pointed it out to them, tjey finally took it back _twice_ then paid it back once, then took it back another time yet again … the last three years before retirement were hell, I can tell you that. You know hoiw people say they value a steady government job with as nice fixed rate of pay? Ha. Every two weeks was like a trip to the casino .. wonder how much they paid me (or didn’t pay me) this time. Scary.’
Catastrophic CAP $3000.00
Hi,
My name is Michelle P. dela Cruz,, my Dad was just examined yesterday and the findings is he has eye cataract, the Dr said it has been there for a long time now. I’m just wondering if you know any organixations who can help out or fund his operation. I believe that there’s already laser surgery for this. The cost of operation is so expensive, we can’t afford it. I have been emailing some local foundation and Dr who can give him free surgery… Hope you can help me out. I also want him to feel young again. He is the best Dad ever!
Thanks,
Michelle P. dela Cruz
Hi Michelle,
Sorry to hear your dad has cataract problems. If you read some more of my articles on this you will find that it is a quite common problem. Sorry, I don’t know of any charity/assistance groups for the problem here in the Philippines … but there may be some … hope someone else can respond with some ideas on help. In general ‘laser surgery’ is for acuity problems … like a replacement for glasses. … the laser reshapes the outside of the eye to correct the vision error.
Cataracts are completely different, the problem is the eye’s internal lenses has gone cloudy and partially opaque. The best treatment for the cataract, as I detailed here, is actually ultrasound … they open a tiny slit in the eyeball, destroy the existing natural lens which is clouded, and then insert a tiny plastic replacement lens, eliminating the cataract problem forever … because there is nothing left behind to cloud any further.
A great many people have the problem, I was shocked after I had my surgery to literally ‘see’ just how bad my vision had become. I’m very happy now with the improvement, and no discomfort/complications/negative affects at all.
By the way my email add is michelle_paras@yahoo.com
My mother had a cataract operation for just barely above P20,000.. So for both eyes it costed me just barely above P40,000.
Sounds about tight, depending on what the operations and the type of lens was. My father-in-law had a cataract operation bout 6 months ago … it was about P20K. His was the older technique, where the cut the eye open and take out the old lens intact … then replace it with a hard plastic lens replacement. It works, but there is a lot of pain, recovery time, and he doesn’t see as well as I do.
My mother-in-law had the same operation as I did, phacoemulsification and a single vision foldable lens … about P37 per eye. No discomfort at all, in fact, although I had my brother-in-law drive me to and from the hospital (operation took only about 45 minutes), I could have driven home if I had to.
A Filipino businessman friend of mine had the same operation as me in a very exclusive clinic … he asked me why I didn’t go there becuase ‘all the forigners use that place’. His price was well over P40k per eye and he had some issues with the clinic and the docs there. So I am happy I got a pretty decent deal.
Aside from the type of operation, the price can vary a _lot_ depending on the type of lens .. I could have had a bifocal lens (what they so quaintly call ‘double vision’ here in the Phils), but it would have nearly doubled the price … so I use reading glasses for close work now. (hey,at 65, the lenes may be new, but the eye is still a1945 model
So the price can vary by a huge factor, depending on what you ask for.
Hi Claudette
May I ask the name of the doctor and hospital that operated your mother. My dad also has cataract but we are still in search of a cheaper possible operation/doctor.
Thanks
I just wanted to know what is the name of the Hospital and the doctor who treated your Mom.
My dad has a severe cataract condition on both eyes and want to have it done. And what is the procedure that was done? thank you very much
Hello Wyn:
Complete details ate included in the article above. That’s why I wrote it:
hi claudette,
what’s the name of the hospital?ive been looking for hospitals that wouldnt cost more than 30k per eye.
thanks
Yuan
Hi Yuan, or Yen, or???
There is no need to submit the exact same comment over and over. Claudette isn’t someone on staff in a business, she will answer if she wants to, or not … sending message after message from different email addresses won’t help. ok?
As regards to hospitals and price, I in addition to prices, I give the contact information for a good hospital and a great doctor … since we don’t have any idea where yu are trying to get the operation, I’m not sure how helpful they will be, but I am pretty sure Dr. Santa Maria can point you in the right direction.
I have been folowing your blog for 3 days and now I want to say that I like your article.
How do I to subscribe your blog? Waiting your next posting.
Regards,
Sam
Just click on the link in the right hand column and select either subscribe by RSS or subscribe by email
To Ms. Michelle de la Cruz,
You can bring your Dad to the eye center of PGH. If you really can’t afford even the low cost, you can talk with the social services of PGH later, before the operation. First, you have to endure long lines to get your blue card, (you have to be there before 6 am for your blue card) at the charity OPD, and long waits, as there are a lot of patients, but the eye center is a modern facility, donated by Spain. Additionally, with the loads of people being treated/operated on everyday and different kinds of eye problems, the doctors must be experts already.
Naya, thanks for this useful comment. I hope Philippine General can help out. Also, as a point that many seem to miss, there is no fixed cost in many cases like this. It’s much more practical, I think, to deal with the doctor directly and ask him to adjust his fees. In many cases I found that doctors can be quite gernerous with older folks who need operations than what their posted prices may indicate.
Also, one thing I think I forgot to mention earlier .. does your dad have PhilHealth? As a foreigner I am always amazed to see how many Filipinos ignore this great health plan. There is NO EXCUSE not to have it for seniors, it is free to senior citizens and it certainly helps. It’s asimple process to entoll and with a PhilHealth card and a Senior Discount Card/Entitlement book (also free) many Filipinos would live a better life if the only signed up.
Antway, Godspeed.
Wow, Philly, I’m amazed at how much you know about our country. Earlier, I thought of commenting about how you choose to focus on the good things in the Philippines, but I decided to reply to Michelle instead.
Actually, I found your website when I googled cataract operation, as I was also weighing between waiting long for the PGH schedules or borrowing a portion to pay for a costlier but easily-scheduled cataract operation for my mother. I also arrived at other expat blogs which had cataract info on them, and I immediately saw how different your site is. Some of the others focus too much on my fellow Pinays who have to earn their living through other means. Thanks a lot, Philly.
Hello, Naya,
Thanks for writing in. Me, focus on the good things? Ha ha, no, that really isn’t me. But when good things happen to me, I do like to let people know about them … and let other people know when people did right by me.
You’ll notice, for example, that Dr. Sanata Maria charged me essentially the exact same price he charged my elderly mother in laaw, less tyhe substantail amount her PhilHealth and Old Age discount lopped off her bill.
A lot of “kano” spend half their lives complaining and t=he outrageous “kabno tax”, “long nose price” or other derogatory terms. And one can’t deny this may happen … but in my case, I find that (especially if I bothered to ask around first, so I knew what the “going rate was supposed yo be”,, this doesn’t happen to me very often.
And when it goes right, it’s naturally something interesting to write about. Thanks for reading and Godspeed.
phil can someone tell me the cost of an eye exam and glasses in the philipines i need to help a friend out? thank u to any that can help me
Hi Ted, that is kind of a question like “how long is a piece of string”. Costs could vary a lot. I pay 400 for a basic eye exam, health check of the eyes and “fraction” (where they give you a prescription. Glasses? That could vary a lot, depending on the prescription. On average, P1000 to P3000. When I was wearing glasses, complicated prescription and automatic sun glass shading, P11000. Hope this helps..
Re your post about the cost of your cataract surgery – the 40,000 pesos (each eye), what kind of lens was implanted in your eye ? is it astigmatism correcting eye ? or multifocal lens ? do you still need to wear glasses after ? or just reading glasses ?
Hi Maris,
the lens is called a ‘folded” plastic lens. I am sure there is a more complex medical term, but that’s what they called it when tlaking to me. It doen’t look folded, it looks like alittle rolled up piece of plastic as big around as a wooden toothpick … it just slides in and unrolls like a window shade.
Astigmatism is a problem with distortion of the lens of the eye .. there’s no astigmatism after getting a replacement lens, from what I understand.
There are various options, including multi-focal (double vision) … for reading and distance. I opted for the cheapest one, single focus, thus, I need light-duty reading glasses for most reading. My distance vision, when last checked was 2035 and 20/40 … sorry I don’t recall the Philippine way of stating the strength. Considering that when I started, I was 20/200 and 20/400 (legally blind in the US), I’m a pretty happy camper. I drive and do everything except reading with no glasses. The most amazing improvement is in the night vision and the colors … it’s hard to describe just how much I was not seeing before.
One option my lenses do have is a yellow anti glare component. It does not make things look yellow (I was afraid of that) but it makes driving, even walking at night a real pleasure, cutting the glare from oncoming lights remarkably.
Call Dr. St. Maria with your questions, he’s an easy to talk to guy (precise and excellent English, too) and very helpful with explanations … I hate doctors who try to keep all the knowledge for themselves, he’s not that way, gives the patient credit for having a brain. Recommended
hi mr..Philly….where can i contact dr santa maria?
Thanx,
Elsie
Hi Elsie, As I wrote in the blog post:
His name is Alexander C. Santa Maria, M.D and he’s a board certified ophthalmologist (eye M.D.) and has operating privileges in several Metro Manila hospitals, and you can reach one of his offices at area code 044-711-5429. (to call from the US you would use 011-63 (the code for an international call and the country code for the Philippines) in front of this number.)
Hello, My mother has a cataract for 10 years now and she can hardly see . If we go for a laser procedure now can she have her eyes back to normal vision or atleast better than how she is now?
@Dennis (ID 4766): Hello Dennis, thanks for visiting and for your contribution to the community here. You certainly should get your mom’s eyes fixed, and fixed now. One of the greatest pleasures I had a few years ago was treating my mother-in-law to a lens replacement. The renewed vision gave her tremendous pleasure during he rlast few years … worth every peso to see the smile her face, in my view.
I don’t know anyhting about laser procedures for cataracts. From what I know, laser is commonly used to treat the outisde curvature of the lens … to correct the eye’s focus instead of using glasses or contacts. Not the same thing as cataracts at all … but her doctor knows what is best, after all.
If you re-read this article and the “Related Articles” listed below it, I explain my procedure which consisted of the doctor making a tiny slit in the side of the eyeball (about the size of the point of a ball pen, and using an ultra sound tool to destroy the existing, clouded lens, Then a rolled up new plastic lens is inserted and worked into place. Painless, quick and instant vision.
If your mom has a procedure as I had, she’ll be “seeing again”, and marveling at the beauty she’s been missing all these years, on the way home from the hour-long procedure. Highly recommended. Godspeed and happy “seeing”.
Hello there! I was just informed few days ago that my mom needs to undergo a CATARACT OPERATION…im still doing a research for it, my mom’s a diabetic, ( info on expenses and doctors) so I need all the help/info you could provide.. Thanks and God Bless!
Hi,
I just had my first Doctor consultation on cataract lens replacemnt here in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The least expensive lens replacement is the “Standard Lens”. This lens procedure is covered by medicare here in the states ane will correct your far away vision, however you will still need reading glasses. The bother option is multifocal lens replacement. There are three differant types of multifocal len’s. Your Doctor will decide which is best suited to you. All three cost the same and do the same thing. That is you will never have to where glasses again in most cases. There is no insurance company in the USA that covers multifocal lens replacement. The cost differs by Doctors. The cost on average id $2,500.00 usd per eye and about $2,500.00 for the Medical portion. About $7,500.00 total. The most important thing to know when you are considering your options is this, “YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE LENS REPLACMENT EVER IN YOUR LIFE”. I was thinking I would get the standard lens first and upgrade later. No, it is not possible. I obtained a second and third opinion, so the info is correct. My eye Doctor is from the Philippines and when I told him I would get this procedure done in Manila ( I live in the Philippines) he was adament in advising me not to do it because the risk was far to high that I may damage my eyes beyond repair if I were to do so. I hope this info helps.
Hello Donny,
Thanks for writing in and sharing this with us. I’m going to respond to your comment in detail, because there are a couple points I want to emphasize.
These are pretty much the options I was given before my surgery. I elected to go with standard, single focus lenses (distance vision) for cost, convenience and considerations as to where the surgery could be performed. Multi-focus lens _may_ allow for a life without glasses for either far or near (reading), but as we age the eye’s ability to ‘accommodate” goes down .. only about 30% of the accommodation comes via the lenses, so even with multi-focal lenses .. so quaintly called “double vision” in the Philippines, reading glasses may come into the picture iin latter years anyway. Since my standard, single focal lenses were cheap and glasses are very cheap here in the Philippines, I went with “single vision” replacement lenses and eyeglasses as my solution
Again, one of the reasons I am happy living here in the Philippines even though I can not use Medicare outside the US. My portion, under Medicare, would have been significantly more than what I paid by just handing over the cash here in the Philippines. One could easily afford to fly to the Philippines and stay here for a couple weeks, pay for his/her own surgery and still come out money ahead over the US prices. The US medical care system is number one in only one area, cost. It’s really sad to see these figures, thanks for sharing, Donny.
Hmmm a lot is said here, much of which I do not agree with. The type of surgery I had, and the lenses used are most certainly replaceable. In fact a close friend had a problem with his surgery (not done by my doctor, by the way) and they went back and replaced the lens to correct the problem. I am no doctor, but I think what is being said here is, there may be some lenses , or some procedures that are “one time only”, but this is absolutely not the case with the surgery and lenses I describe.
As far as damaging the eyes beyond repair? Again, I don’t know what, specifically this doctors concerns are, but it does not sound to me as if he is “up on” modern practices. “phaco” lens removeal and flexible/foldable IOL replacements are a common, routine practice and to live with cataracts for fear of the risk of damaging your eyes beyond repair does not ring true to me. There are risks associated with any surgery, but the risks in the surgery I am talking about are minimal and manageable.
You mention that this eye doctor who advised against cataract surgery is here in the Philippines? Can you put me in touch with him? I’d gladly pay for a consultation with him just so I could learn more about the specific dangers he is cautioning you about.
Hello Guys. I have been reading your posts with great interest…here is more info to add to your knowledge of cataract surgery. There are actually two types of “small incision” cataract surgery currently being practiced in the world today…the first one is Phacoemulsification, using an ultrasound machine to pulverize the cataract thru a 3mm incision, usually done under topical anesthesia. The other type is called MSICS or manual small incision cataract surgery…also a new technique…the cataract is extracted thru a tunnel incision usually about 6 mm in length. After the lens is removed, an artificial lens is implanted. Which technique is superior? Well, many research papers now conclude that both are about equal in results, although Phacoemulsification is much more expensive due to the cost of the machine and its peripheral supplies. MSICS is much cheaper to perform. UNFORTUNATELY…in the philippines, only a few doctors are trained to do msics…so thats why phaco is more popular. pls visit http://www.sarabiavision.com and see the videos of both techniques. Our clinic offers phaco at P30,000.00/eye and msics at P15-20,000.00 per eye.
Dr. Sarabia, thank you so much for your informative comments. I wasn’t aware of MSICS at all. May I ask more about the recovery time, potential complications, etc. The one thing that amazed me most about my Phaco procedures was the near instant recovery time .. there was absolutely no pain at all and my eyes were focusing and functioning practically perfectly even on the trip home from the hospital.
Why don’t you write a short article on this … especially as you seem to have experience in both procedures … just email it to me and I’d be happy to publish it in the main blog so it won’t just get lost here in the comments section. I see from your website you are practicing in Bacolod … are you set up to accommodate foreigners traveling there for surgery as well as your local patients.
Some medically oriented folks talk a lot about “Medical Tourism” in the Philippines but the reality is, it’s often like “pulling teeth” (pardon the mixed metaphor, but there are a lot of dentists who “hide their light under a bushel” as well) to try and get information for an outsider.
Many overseas Filipinos visit this site as well, looking for information on how they can get surgery for loved ones back home … I’d be happy to help.
I’m 25 and I was diagnosed to have an eye cataract. This is very informative, i just want to know about the possible risk if i undergo either of the two types of surgery… And, may i know how much is the lens? coz, our company health card can cover the surgery alone but not the lens. thanks
The cost of the lens in a cataract operation can vary widely, depending n what sort of lens you need. In large part this depends upon the doctor who his going to do the operation and his/her recommendations.
It isn’t like shopping for tires for your car where you can canvass a dozen businesses to save 10 pesos, it’s a serious medical condition, and I’d be discussing ths with your doctor … that’s my advice. Godspeed.
hi dr miguel^^ may i know where your office located and contact numbers? my dad has cataract and he needs operation, your help is really appreciated, thank you!
Dr Sarabia’s information is:
By Dr. Miguel Tomas S. Sarabia
Diplomate Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology
Alumni of LAICOAravindEyeHospital,
Community Ophthalmology and MSICS Course.
http://www.sarabiavision.com
I recommend anyo90ne interested contact him through his website at;
http://www.sarabiavision.com/
He is not affiliated with this site and may not ever see your comments here. Thanks.
Hello…glad you can see clearly now. Can the cost be much more for the surgery? I live in canada and I have my mother-in-law in the Philippines asking for $1500 USD for the surgery for both eyes. Does that seem too high?
Well that’s in the neighborhood, for the type of operation I had. Haven’t you read Dr. Sarabia’s article describing his new, much cheaper method? See:
http://philfaqs.com/cataracts-philippines/msics-manual-small-incision-cataract-surgery-in-the-philippines/
I had catarac surgery in March 2012 in Cebu City on one eye. The cost of the hospital services, surgeon and follow-up doctor visits was P56,000. Pre-op doctor visits including an internist, drugs, laboratory work (blood/urinalisis), ekg, chest xray etc was an additional P9,000 approx. So total cost was around P65,000 ($1,500)
I am looking for a cataract surgery on my right i don’t mind glasses but cost is the problem, I need the name of a doctor or hospital here in Cebu. I am completely blind in my right eye. I had a doctor look at it a he said just have the cataract removed. Trying to find something around 30 K or under.
Hi Ron, perhaps someone here can respond. I’m not in Cebu and no of no doctors there. But your cost seems well in line with current prices. Just go to a good hospital and ask to see an ophthalmologist. Wouldn’t the doc whom you already saw give you a referral? or was he too expensive? You should not ignore this, getting a cataract removed isn’t like seeing again, it’s more like living again … I am so glad I had mine done. Godspeed.
Hi Phil, thanks for this very informative thread about cataract surgery in the Philippines. It is very helpful for Filipinos like me who are living abroad but still have family back home.
Just follow up questions to Paul Spagalo. Which hospital did you go to and who was your doctor? How was the operation? Most importantly, how is your eye right now? My dad needs to undergo the surgery as well and Cebu is just a ferry away from him. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, my mom have cataract and I’m worried for her as she have diabetes. Though, she is on maintainance , my concern will be the complications after the surgery if she wouldn’t be able to control her blood sugar. What is the best thing to do? Please advice.
Moreana,
Hi, thanks for writing in. I have no idea why the cataract operation like I had would have any affect on your mom’s diabetes. It’s a simple walk-in, walk-out same day procedure.
But I am not a doctor. Why wouldn’t you ask your mom’s doctor this question instead of a bunch of lay people who read and comment here … who probably have the wrong advice about as often as we have the advice right? diba?
After reading all of this, i find peace in my heart that my father’s cataract surgery has a very reasonable price of P45,000 (philippine money). Thank you.
Dear Philly,
Is Philly your real name? I just read your blog about cataract surgery and it’s very helpful. My dad’s got cataract for years now and I think it’s hightime he undergo surgery. Thanks for all the helpful information especially the cost breakdown. Very informative. Keep up the good work!
I also noticed you reply to almost all the comments. My, you have time to kill! ^_^
No Philly is a non de plume. My real name is Dave Starr. I really should do morew with my “About” page I suppose.
You should get your dad to surgery ASAP and not be cheap about it. There are several changes since that article which make it even cheaper for those under PhilHealth, and if your dad isn’t under PhilHealth the operative question is, why isn’t he?
The gift of good vision is one of the most valuable ones I can think of, it’s very hard for me to describe just how much I was ‘not seeing’ that I never even realized before my operation. Don’t put it off!
I typically only publish comments that I am interested in replying to. As far as time on my hands, I don’t have much, but most people out there who claim they ‘don’t have time’ have plenty of time, they just don’t chose to allocate it to certain things (hint, how often do you see me wasting hours on FaceBook or Twitter, etc.?). Unlike money, time is something every one of us has exactly the same amount of, and even Bill Gates can’t buy any extra. Godspeed.
Well, Dave, my dad’s gonna have his cataract removal surgery, hopefully soon. His blood sugar’s kinda high so he’s taking some meds for the meantime. It’s not that expensive but he’s been taking it for weeks now which make the cost a bit troublesome. I thought they’re members of philhealth coz they were employed for a long time, but alas, they weren’t. So I asked them to enroll to philhealth right away.
Nice to hear that he’s getting the operation. It’s a great gift, being able to see clearly again. One problem with waiting until one gets PhilHealth until the moment it is needed is, there is usually a 6 month waiting period for coverage of existing conditions. That’s one reason I recommend people gte it when things are going fine, so it will be useful after things are not so fine. Godspeed.
Hi Mr,Dave Starr, Thank you very much for all the information regarding cataract, as I am surfing I came across this forum and it helps a lot to us ,my mom has the same problem and looking for a cheaper surgery here in the US but unfortunately dint find any, so I will talk to my mom that she need to go back home and have her cataract done there, my main question is how much is the surgery done now there in Philippines cuz this price I am reading was back in 2010 so i don’t know the exact cost … would u please reply me if u know any of the cost pls….
@ Ellenane:
Thanks for writing in. I must admit I had to surprises a chuckle when I read your question though. A Filipino/former Filipino looking for medical procedures in the US to be cheaper than in the Philippines? That would be a big surprise to me.
Now, of course, you didn’t share what insurance coverage your mom has, so if her insurance would cover the operation then, of course, it might be cheaper in the US … and why would she care if insurance will cover it?
But if she is paying on her own, cash out of pocket, you can see that the costs here in the Philippines are about one fourth what they are in the USA. Will they have changed in 2 or three years time? Probably, but if they went up here they went up way more in the USA I can almost guarantee.
The real answer is to pick up a phone and ask someone who knows, like the doctor I recommend in the article:
I won’t be checking any prices myself, anytime soon, I only have two eyes and they are both still doing really well … the operation is good for life. Just call and talk to a doctor directly … he’s Filipino, you’re Filipino, you don’t have to be shy. Godspeed.
she didn’t have any insurance that’s why i said its very expensive sorry for missunderstanding
tyvm for the info that u shared god bless u and ur family
Is the 40k price recent? Is it for an eye or both?
My parents are now currently and cebu, and they went to Cebu Doctors. The Doc qouted them te price 175,000php. For both severely covered eyes. And it is already discounted by philhealth.
Even for me it is very pricey. So I am looking for a cheaper service yet a good one. Anyone?