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Cataract surgery for patients from Ponda: what does the journey to Vasco involve?

Families from Ponda taluka, from the town itself and from Farmagudi, Kavlem, Bandora, Priol, Shiroda and Marcel, can plan cataract surgery at ReNew Vision without a long journey. The hospital is not in Ponda. It is in Vasco, on the 2nd floor of the Pai Hospital building, Vaddem Merces Road, Vaddem. Below is the route, the visit plan for a cataract operation (motibindu in Konkani and Marathi) and a few points that come up often for Ponda families.

What is the route from Ponda to Vaddem?

OpenStreetMap routing gives about 32 km. From Ponda, take the western bypass and head south to Borim, cross the Zuari river on the Borim bridge, and drive through Loutolim and Nagoa up to the Verna plateau. At Verna, join NH 66 northwards to the Cortalim junction, then take the Vasco road (NH 366) west through Zuarinagar and Chicalim into Vasco. The routing tool shows under half an hour on clear roads; in daytime traffic, allow 45 to 55 minutes. During heavy monsoon rain the roads around Borim and Loutolim can be slow, so leave extra time.

Is there public transport?

Buses from the Ponda bus stand run to Vasco as well as to Margao and Panjim. Ask at the stand for the next direct Vasco bus; if none is due, go to Margao and take one of the frequent buses from there. The Vasco KTC bus stand is about 1 km from the hospital, an easy auto-rickshaw ride. There is no convenient train from Ponda.

For the surgery day, a car is much easier than buses with a change. We can collect you from your home and drop you back, at zero cost to the patient. Ask for it when you call 072489 88039; the general plan for other towns is on coming from another town.

How many trips will we make?

A typical plan for someone from Ponda:

1. Check-up and counselling in the Eye OPD. The eye doctor examines both eyes with dilating drops and, if surgery is advised, explains the method (phaco or SICS), the lens choices and the fee. The lens-power test may be done the same day.
2. The surgery day, lasting a few hours, with an adult companion throughout.
3. The first check, usually the next day or soon after. Ponda is close enough to go home in between.
4. Follow-up visits over the next weeks, and later the second eye and new spectacles if needed.

Ask for all the dates at the first visit and write them down. The operation itself is explained on cataract surgery at ReNew Vision and, step by step, in what to expect on the day.

Temple visits, zatras and festivals after surgery

Ponda is Goa's temple town, and for many older patients a visit to the family deity, the zatra or the Shigmo procession is important. In the first weeks after cataract surgery the eye is still healing, so:

• prayers at home are fine, but keep away from thick incense and camphor smoke near the face;
• avoid crowds and jostling, where an elbow or a child's hand can knock the eye;
• do not splash water on the face, and do not let anyone apply kumkum or kajal near the eye;
• ask the surgeon before planning a long temple trip or a festival day, and fix the surgery date around it if you can.

More precautions are listed in care after cataract surgery.

Reading is often the first thing to go

Many Ponda grandparents read a Marathi or Konkani newspaper every morning. If they now need the window light to read it, hold it further away, or complain that new spectacles help for only a few months, those can be early signs of cataract. A check-up tells you whether it is cataract or simply a change in power. See early signs of cataract.

What should we bring from Ponda?

• the patient's spectacles and any old eye reports
• all medicine strips, including blood thinners and eye drops
• recent sugar and BP reports
• sunglasses, water and a light snack for the wait

When to come, and what if something goes wrong at night?

The Eye OPD runs Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm, Friday included; Sunday OPD is closed. From Ponda, leaving by about 3 pm brings you in early. Emergency eye care is available 24 hours: after surgery, increasing pain, redness or blurred vision means call 072489 88039 at once, day or night.

Questions patients ask

How far is ReNew Vision from Ponda?

About 32 km by road, across the Zuari at Borim and through Loutolim and Verna to Vasco. Allow 45 to 55 minutes in daytime traffic, and more in heavy rain.

Is there a direct bus from Ponda to Vasco?

Buses from the Ponda bus stand run to Vasco, Margao and Panjim. Ask at the stand for the next Vasco bus; otherwise change at Margao. For the surgery day, a car or our home pickup is easier.

Can my father go to the temple zatra after cataract surgery?

Wait until the surgeon says the eye has settled, usually some weeks. Until then avoid crowds, thick incense or camphor smoke near the face, and anything touching the eye.

Do we need to stay overnight in Vasco?

Usually not. Ponda is under an hour away, so most families go home after surgery and come back for the first check, often the next day. The surgeon will advise you.

Does ReNew Vision have a centre in Ponda?

No. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is only in Vaddem, Vasco da Gama. We can collect you from your home and drop you back, at zero cost to the patient.

This page is general eye-health information, not personal medical advice. Your eye doctor advises you after examining your eyes.