By Dr. Sharoon Shitole, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Managing Director, Vencer Hospital
When we think about geriatric care, we often focus first on disease. We think of blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, or heart problems. But in everyday practice, two of the biggest issues that affect the quality of life of senior citizens are much simpler and more fundamental: sight and mobility.
When older adults lose clear vision, daily life begins to shrink. They may stop reading comfortably. They may hesitate while walking. They may avoid going outdoors alone. They may struggle with medicines, cooking, stairs, social interaction, and simple confidence. Vision loss does not affect only the eyes. It affects independence.
That is why cataract care must be seen as an essential part of geriatric care.
Cataract is one of the most common and treatable causes of poor vision in older adults. Yet for many families, the decision around cataract surgery becomes financially stressful very early. The discussion often shifts from what is best for the patient to what seems affordable in the moment. The lens choice becomes a source of confusion and anxiety, and elderly patients may feel they are choosing between better vision and financial caution.
I believe that this is the wrong way to approach such an important aspect of ageing.
At Vencer, we have been thinking deeply about how geriatric care should evolve. As we engaged more closely with senior citizens and their families, one lesson became clear: when it comes to ageing, sight and mobility are not secondary concerns. They are central concerns. If an elderly person cannot see clearly, mobility also suffers. And when mobility suffers, so do confidence, social connection, and safety.
That is why we are shaping a cataract care package around a very simple principle: the patient should pay one fee for the surgery, regardless of which lens is finally selected. The purpose of this approach is not promotional. It is philosophical and practical. We do not believe that the economics of cataract surgery should force elderly patients into a narrower medical conversation than they deserve.
The lens choice should be based on the patient’s lifestyle, visual needs, and clinical suitability. Some may need a solution that supports distance vision more strongly. Others may value reading, daily function, or specific routine needs. These discussions should happen in a calm and medically appropriate way, not under financial pressure that makes the patient feel that a better fit is automatically out of reach.
This is also part of a larger shift for us at Vencer. We are working on geriatric-focused care packages with community participation, because we believe senior care should be built around real lived problems, not only around hospital categories. We are listening carefully to what older adults and their families are struggling with most. Again and again, the same concerns come up: seeing clearly, moving safely, staying independent, and managing care without becoming a burden on the family.
Healthcare for the elderly must become simpler, kinder, and less intimidating. Essential care should not feel like a financial maze. Cataract treatment is too important to be reduced to a pricing dilemma. If we want geriatric care to truly serve the patient, then we must remove unnecessary stress from the decision-making process.
In the end, good geriatric care is not just about adding years to life. It is about protecting function, dignity, and confidence. And when it comes to sight, senior citizens deserve the freedom to choose what is best for their needs, not what fear of cost allows.