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Cataract surgery for patients from Sanguem: do not wait for the cataract to ripen

Sanguem is Goa's largest taluka, and many of its villages, such as Rivona, Netravali, Uguem, Kalay, Bhati and Colomb, are far from a main road. Older people there often live with a cataract (motibindu) for years because the journey seems too much. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is in Vasco, not in Sanguem: 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem Merces Road, Vaddem, Vasco da Gama. This page shows how the trip can be made manageable.

Why waiting for the cataract to ripen is a mistake

An old belief says a cataract must turn fully white, or ripen, before it can be removed. That was true of surgery decades ago, not today. A very mature cataract is harder to remove, and it can raise the pressure inside the eye or cause inflammation. Meanwhile, poor sight leads to falls on uneven village paths and on stairs, and to mistakes with tablets. If reading, cooking, recognising faces or walking at dusk has become difficult, have the eyes checked now. See early signs of cataract.

How far is it, and which way?

OpenStreetMap routing gives about 51 km from Sanguem town. Take the road to Curchorem and Sanvordem, then north through Shiroda to Borim, cross the Zuari, and drive through Loutolim and Nagoa to Verna. From the Cortalim junction, the Vasco road (NH 366) runs through Zuarinagar and Chicalim into Vasco. The routing tool shows about 45 minutes; allow an hour and a quarter in practice, and more from the interior villages or in heavy monsoon rain. The road through Curchorem to Margao and up NH 66 is the other choice.

Train, bus or pickup?

• Train: Sanvordem-Curchorem station is on the railway line that ends at Vasco da Gama station, about 3 km from the hospital. There are only a few trains a day, so check the timetable.
• Bus: buses link Sanguem with Curchorem and Margao, and buses from Margao to Vasco are frequent. The Vasco KTC bus stand is about 1 km from the hospital.
• Pickup: for an elderly patient from a village, this is usually the easiest. 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, and give clear directions to the house.

Planning the trips

1. First visit: the check-up with dilating drops. If surgery is advised, our eye surgeon explains phaco or SICS, the lens choices and the fee. Mention that you live far, and ask whether the lens-power test can be done the same day.
2. Surgery day: a few hours; one adult stays throughout.
3. First check: usually the next day or soon after. From the far villages, staying the night with relatives in Curchorem, Margao or Vasco can make this easier.
4. Follow-ups over the next weeks. Write all the dates on one sheet and keep it with the eye drops.

More about the operation is on cataract surgery at ReNew Vision.

Help at home after surgery

In a village house, the first weeks need a little preparation:

• someone who can put in the eye drops several times a day, with clean hands;
• a clear path to the bathroom and a light at night, so that nobody trips;
• no blowing on the chulha fire or sitting in wood smoke, and no sweeping or handling dry leaves and husk;
• no bathing by pouring water over the head until the surgeon allows it.

The full list is in care after cataract surgery.

What to bring

• the patient's spectacles, any old eye papers and all medicine strips, including blood thinners
• recent sugar and BP reports; if there are none, say so when you call
• food and water, sunglasses, and a shawl for the drive back in the evening

Hours and emergencies

The Eye OPD runs Monday to Saturday, 4 pm to 7 pm, Friday included; Sunday OPD is closed. From Sanguem, leave by about 2:30 pm, earlier from the interior. Emergency eye care is available 24 hours: if pain, redness or blurring increases after surgery, call 072489 88039 at once. For a severe injury, go to the nearest hospital first. See also coming from another town.

Questions patients ask

Should we wait until the cataract is ripe?

No. Modern cataract surgery does not need the cataract to ripen. A very mature cataract is harder to remove and can raise the eye pressure. Have the eyes checked once daily life becomes difficult.

How far is ReNew Vision from Sanguem?

About 51 km from Sanguem town, via Curchorem, Shiroda and the Borim bridge, or via Margao. Allow about an hour and a quarter by car, more from the interior villages.

Is there a train from Sanguem side to Vasco?

Sanvordem-Curchorem station is on the line that ends at Vasco da Gama station, about 3 km from the hospital. Trains are few, so check the timetable.

Can you collect my grandmother from our village?

Yes. We can collect you from your home and drop you back, at zero cost to the patient. Call 072489 88039 to book and give clear directions to the house.

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