Strabismus Surgery Cost in India: A Complete Guide to Treatment Expenses

Medically Reviewed

Written by Pooja Rawat, Medical Content Writer

If you are searching to know the strabismus surgery cost in India, the average cost is around ₹30,000 to ₹1,00,000 per eye. For both eyes, the total expense may range from roughly ₹50,000 to ₹1,50,000.

The cost may vary based on factors such as the hospital, city, surgeon’s experience, number of eye muscles involved, type of surgery, anaesthesia, and whether it is a first-time or revision procedure.

But cost is only one part of the decision. The type of strabismus, your vision, eye alignment and the treatment approach recommended by your ophthalmologist can all influence the final expense.

Quick Overview: Strabismus Surgery Cost in India

Read the table below to get a quick idea of the cost of strabismus surgery in India.

Note: These are approximate ranges, not fixed prices. The actual cost can differ between hospitals and cities.

What Is Strabismus?

Strabismus (eye misalignment) is a condition in which one eye is turned in a direction that is different from the other eye. Eye misalignment is usually found in children, but it can occur in adults.

One eye may turn:

• Inward
• Outward
• Upward
• Downward

The eye turn may be constant or may appear only sometimes.

Strabismus is also known as a “squint”.

Can Strabismus Be Corrected Without Surgery?

Yes.

Eye misalignment can be corrected without surgery.

Depending on the cause and type of eye misalignment, an ophthalmologist may recommend:

• Prescription glasses
• Patching for amblyopia (lazy eye)
• Prism glasses in selected cases
• Eye exercises for certain conditions
• Observation and regular monitoring
• Other medical treatments in selected cases
• Strabismus surgery

What Determines the Strabismus Surgery Cost in India?

There is no single price for strabismus surgery because the final cost is influenced by factors such as type of strabismus, number of eye muscles being operated on, surgeon experience, city, and type of hospital.

1. Type of Strabismus

There are several forms of strabismus.

• Esotropia: Eye turns inward
• Exotropia: Eye turns outward
• Hypertropia: Eye turns upward
• Hypotropia: Eye turns downward

The type and direction of the eye turn can influence the complexity of treatment; hence, the cost of the treatment.

2. Number of Eye Muscles Being Operated On

Under normal circumstances, the six muscles controlling the eye movement work together and point both eyes in the same direction. If you have strabismus (eye misalignment), these muscles have problems controlling eye movement and are unable to keep normal ocular alignment (eye position).

The number of eye muscles being operated on is one of the important factors affecting cost.

Some people may require surgery involving one muscle, while others may require two or more muscles to achieve better alignment.

The more complex the procedure or technique, the more the overall cost may increase.

3. Strabismus Surgery in Adults vs Children

Children may need general anaesthesia based on their age and clinical situation. Adults may be eligible for local anaesthesia, sedation or other approaches depending on the procedure and the surgeon’s assessment.

Therefore, the factors of anaesthesia and hospital-related costs can differ between strabismus surgery in adults and children.

4. Experience of the Eye Surgeon

A surgeon who specialises in eye misalignment or paediatric ophthalmology may charge different fees depending on their training, experience and expertise.

5. City and Type of Hospital

The cost of treatment can differ between cities and hospitals.

Private eye hospitals in major metro cities may have advanced facilities and higher professional fees than smaller centres. Government hospitals may provide treatment at a lower cost in suitable cases.

6. First-Time Surgery or Revision Surgery

A previous eye misalignment operation can change the eye muscles and surrounding tissues. 

If the eyes become misaligned again, you might need revision surgery, which may be more complex.

Revision surgery can add additional surgical and hospital costs compared with a first-time procedure.

A few other influencing factors are pre- and post-operative care, insurance coverage, use of special techniques, etc.

Tests Are Included Before Strabismus Surgery

Before the surgery, your ophthalmologist will generally assess your vision and eye alignment. Depending on your eye misalignment, the evaluation may include:

• Visual acuity testing
• Refraction testing
• Eye alignment measurements
• Eye movement assessment
• Binocular vision assessment
• Examination of the internal structures of the eye
• Assessment for amblyopia

These tests help the ophthalmologist understand how the eyes are positioned and how they work together.