Cataract Surgery in Ambala: Complete Guide to the Best Eye Hospital in Haryana (Leelawati Hospital)
Cataract surgery is a safe, day-care procedure that removes the eye’s clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). In Ambala, Leelawati Eye Super Specialty Hospital — led by Dr. Rajat Mathur, an ophthalmologist with 25 years of experience — performs cataract surgery using phacoemulsification with MICS (Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery) and offers all types of IOLs, including monofocal, toric, multifocal, trifocal, and EDOF lenses. The hospital is empaneled with Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY), CGHS, ECHS, HVPN, and major insurance/TPA providers for cashless treatment.
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, the transparent structure that sits behind the iris and pupil and focuses light onto the retina. When proteins in the lens clump together, the lens gradually loses its transparency, causing blurred, hazy, or dimmed vision.
In simple terms: think of your eye’s lens as a clear camera lens. A cataract is like a fogged-up lens — light can no longer pass through cleanly, so the image (your vision) becomes blurry.
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of treatable vision impairment worldwide and are extremely common with advancing age, though they can also occur in younger adults and, in some cases, children.
Causes, Risk Factors & Symptoms of Cataracts
What Causes Cataracts?
- Ageing — the most common cause, typically after age 50–60
- Diabetes — poorly controlled blood sugar accelerates lens clouding
- Prolonged UV/sun exposure
- Smoking and alcohol use
- Long-term steroid use
- Eye injury or trauma
- Congenital factors — some cataracts are present at birth or develop in childhood
- Family history
What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Increased glare or light sensitivity, especially while driving at night
- Halos around lights
- Fading or yellowing of colours
- Frequent changes in spectacle prescription
- Double vision in one eye
- Difficulty reading, recognising faces, or doing close-up work
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, a comprehensive eye check-up is recommended to confirm whether a cataract is the cause and to assess how advanced it is.
Why Cataract Surgery Is Necessary
Cataracts cannot be reversed with eye drops, diet, or exercises. In early stages, updated glasses or brighter lighting may help temporarily, but as the cataract progresses and starts affecting daily activities — driving, reading, working, recognising faces — surgery is the only definitive treatment.
Cataract surgery is one of the most frequently performed and safest surgical procedures
Cataract Surgery Techniques: Phacoemulsification & MICS Explained
What Is Phacoemulsification?
Phacoemulsification (phaco) is the modern global standard for cataract removal. The surgeon creates a very small incision at the edge of the cornea, uses an ultrasonic probe to break the cloudy lens into tiny fragments, gently suctions them out, and then implants a folded artificial IOL through the same small opening.
What Is MICS (Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery)?
MICS is a refined form of phacoemulsification performed through an even smaller incision — typically under 2.2 mm. Because the entry point is so small, MICS offers several practical benefits:
- Minimal surgically induced astigmatism
- Faster corneal wound healing
- Reduced trauma to surrounding eye tissue
- Quicker visual rehabilitation
- Stitch-free, day-care surgery in the majority of cases
At Leelawati Hospital, Ambala, cataract surgery is performed using phacoemulsification with the MICS technique — a globally practiced, evidence-based, and time-tested surgical method trusted by ophthalmologists worldwide for delivering safe, precise, and predictable outcomes for routine and complex cataracts alike, including in diabetic and paediatric patients.
Types of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Available
Since the artificial lens implanted during surgery is permanent, choosing the right IOL is one of the most important parts of cataract treatment. Leelawati Hospital offers all major categories of IOLs, so the choice can be tailored to each patient’s eye condition, lifestyle, and visual goals:
IOL Type | Best Suited For |
Monofocal IOL | Clear vision at one distance (usually far); reading glasses often still needed |
Toric IOL | Patients with significant corneal astigmatism along with cataract |
Multifocal IOL | Reduced dependence on glasses across near, intermediate & far vision |
Trifocal IOL | Premium, continuous range of vision (near + intermediate + distance) |
EDOF (Extended Depth of Focus) IOL | Extended continuous focal range with fewer visual disturbances like glare/halos |
Secondary IOL | Implantation at a later stage, e.g., after complicated prior surgery |
A detailed consultation and biometric evaluation at the hospital helps determine which IOL is right for your eyes.
Preparing for Cataract Surgery
A well-planned pre-operative process supports a safe, predictable outcome:
- Comprehensive eye examination — assessing the cataract’s severity and overall eye health
- Biometry & corneal measurements — precise measurements used to calculate correct IOL power
- Medical fitness assessment — relevant tests, especially important for patients with diabetes or hypertension
- IOL counselling — discussing lens options and realistic visual outcomes with the surgeon
What to Expect on Surgery Day & Recovery
The Procedure
- Performed under topical (drop) anaesthesia — largely painless
- Day-care surgery — most patients go home the same day
- Surgical time for an uncomplicated cataract is typically brief
Recovery & Aftercare
- Eye drops (antibiotic + anti-inflammatory) to support healing
- Protective eye shield, especially at night, for a short period
- Avoid rubbing the eyes, swimming, and heavy lifting for a few weeks
- Follow-up visits to monitor healing and confirm visual recovery
Most patients notice improved vision within days, with full stabilisation over about four to six weeks.
Best Eye Hospital in Ambala, Haryana: Leelawati Hospital at a Glance
Leelawati Eye Super Specialty Hospital is a dedicated eye-care unit and extension of Dr. Mathur Eye & Children Hospital, established in March 2002 by Dr. Rajat Mathur and Dr. Sangeeta Mathur. Located in the heart of Ambala City, it has become a recognised destination for cataract surgery, LASIK, and comprehensive eye care across Haryana.
Key Facts at a Glance
Hospital
Leelawati Eye Super Specialty Hospital (Unit of Mathur Eye & Children Hospital)
Founded
March 2002
Founders
Dr. Rajat Mathur & Dr. Sangeeta Mathur
Capacity
10-bedded, air-conditioned eye speciality centre
Location
8, 9 Police Line Road, Near Arya Chowk, Ambala City, Haryana – 134003
Timings
Mon–Sat, 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM (Sunday closed)
Phone
0171-255-0456 / 0171-255-0446
WhatsApp
9355320376
Email
leelawatihospital@gmail.com
Insurance/Schemes
Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY – Haryana & Central), CGHS, HVPN, ECHS, private insurers & TPAs (cashless)
Why It’s Considered Among the Best Eye Hospitals in Haryana
- Dedicated, single-speciality focus on ophthalmology rather than eye care as a minor department
- Experienced leadership under Dr. Rajat Mathur, a surgeon with 25 years of clinical experience
- Full spectrum of IOL options — from monofocal to premium trifocal and EDOF lenses
- Government scheme empanelment (PMJAY, CGHS, ECHS, HVPN) making treatment more accessible
- Established legacy — operating since 2002, with a long-standing local reputation in Ambala
- Multi-disciplinary visiting consultants in neurology, urology, nephrology, orthopaedics, and laparoscopic surgery for added patient convenience
About Dr. Rajat Mathur — Eye Specialist & Cataract Surgeon in Ambala
Dr. Rajat Mathur is the founder and Medical Director of Leelawati Hospital and one of Ambala’s most experienced ophthalmologists.
Qualifications
- MBBS
- DOMS (AMUIO) — Aligarh Muslim University Institute of Ophthalmology
- M.Ch. (Ophthalmology)
- PGDHM (NIHFW) — Post Graduate Diploma in Hospital Management, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare
- FRCS (I), Glasgow, U.K. — Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons
- MBA (Healthcare Administration)
Experience
Dr. Mathur has 25 years of experience in ophthalmology and previously served as Consultant Eye Surgeon at the Ex-King Khalid Hospital, Saudi Arabia, before establishing his practice in Ambala.
Areas of Clinical Expertise
Described as a refractive, phaco, and anterior segment surgeon treating both adults and paediatric patients, Dr. Mathur’s areas of focus include:
- Cataract surgery, including complicated and childhood cataracts
- Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation (monofocal, toric, multifocal, trifocal, EDOF)
- Refractive surgery — LASIK, advanced surface ablation/PRK, ICL/Phakic IOL, toric ICL
- Secondary IOL implantation
- Glaucoma management, including trabeculectomy and other glaucoma surgeries
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Corneal collagen cross-linking
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Amniotic membrane grafting & conjunctival autografting
- Squint (strabismus)
- Uveitis
- Dry eye and watery eye conditions
- Infection and corneal ulcer management
This broad clinical scope means patients visiting for cataract evaluation can also be assessed for related eye conditions in the same consultation.
Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions About Cataract Surgery in Ambala
Surgery is the only definitive treatment for cataracts. The clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) through phacoemulsification, a safe and widely practiced procedure.
No. Cataract surgery is typically performed under topical (drop) anaesthesia and is generally painless, with at most mild, brief discomfort during the procedure.
The actual surgical time for an uncomplicated cataract is usually brief — often well under 30 minutes per eye — though total time at the hospital, including preparation, will be longer.
Many patients notice improved vision within a few days. Full visual stabilisation typically takes about four to six weeks, with scheduled follow-up visits during this period.
It depends on the IOL chosen. A monofocal lens usually still requires reading glasses for near tasks, while multifocal, trifocal, or EDOF lenses aim to reduce overall dependence on glasses across multiple distances.
The right IOL depends on your eye condition, lifestyle, and visual goals. Options include monofocal, toric, multifocal, trifocal, and EDOF lenses — best decided after a detailed consultation and biometric evaluation.
MICS (Micro-Incision Cataract Surgery) is an advanced form of phacoemulsification performed through a very small incision (typically under 2.2 mm), offering reduced astigmatism, faster healing, and quicker visual recovery.
No, once removed, a cataract cannot return. Some patients may later develop clouding of the lens capsule (posterior capsule opacification), which is easily treated with a quick, painless laser procedure.
Yes. Leelawati Hospital is empaneled with Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) at both the Haryana state and Central Government level, as well as CGHS, HVPN, ECHS, and multiple private insurance companies and TPAs, offering cashless facilities where applicable.
Dr. Rajat Mathur, founder and Medical Director of Leelawati Hospital, is a highly experienced ophthalmologist with 25 years of clinical practice, FRCS (Glasgow) qualification, and expertise in phacoemulsification, MICS, and all categories of IOL implantation.
Conclusion
Cataracts are a common, highly treatable part of the ageing eye. With proven surgical techniques like phacoemulsification and MICS, and a full range of IOL options — from monofocal to premium trifocal and EDOF lenses — patients today have more choice than ever in tailoring cataract surgery to their visual needs and lifestyle.
For residents of Ambala and across Haryana, Leelawati Eye Super Specialty Hospital, led by Dr. Rajat Mathur — an ophthalmologist with 25 years of experience and internationally recognised qualifications including FRCS (Glasgow) — offers dedicated, insurance-friendly, and comprehensive cataract care under one roof.
If you or a loved one are experiencing blurred vision, glare sensitivity, or difficulty with daily tasks, a comprehensive eye examination is the first step toward clarity.
Book a Consultation: 📍 8, 9 Police Line Road, Near Arya Chowk, Ambala City, Haryana – 134003 📞 0171-255-0456 / 0171-255-0446 💬 WhatsApp: 9355320376 ✉️ leelawatihospital@gmail.com 🌐 leelawatihospital.net
