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Cataract surgery for patients from Valpoi and Sattari: planning around the rains

Valpoi is the market town of Sattari, Goa's forested north-eastern taluka, with villages such as Honda, Keri, Morlem, Guleli, Nagargao, Pissurlem and Thane spread along the hills. It is one of the wettest parts of Goa, and the distance to Vasco is real. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is in Vasco, not in Valpoi: 2nd floor, Pai Hospital building, Vaddem Merces Road, Vaddem, Vasco da Gama. With the trips planned and the rains in mind, cataract surgery (motibindu in Konkani and Marathi) is very manageable from Sattari.

The route from Valpoi

OpenStreetMap routing gives about 56 km. Take SH 1 west through Honda to Sankhali, cross the Mandovi at Amona, continue towards Old Goa, then turn south through Neura to the new Zuari bridge and Cortalim. From the Cortalim junction, the Vasco road (NH 366) runs through Zuarinagar and Chicalim into Vasco. The tool shows under an hour; allow about an hour and a half, and more from the interior villages or in heavy rain. Another way is through Usgao and Ponda to the Borim bridge.

Public transport

KTC buses run from Valpoi to Panjim, a journey of around two hours, and buses also run via Sankhali. From Panjim, KTC shuttles go to Vasco, whose bus stand is about 1 km from the hospital. There is no railway station nearby. For an elderly patient, two or three buses each way is too much, especially on the surgery day. 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.

A visit plan for Sattari families

1. Check-up and counselling: the eye doctor examines both eyes after dilating drops. If surgery is advised, our eye surgeon explains phaco or SICS, the lens types and the fee. Say that you live in Sattari and ask whether the lens-power test can be done on the same visit.
2. Surgery day: a few hours at the hospital, with an adult staying throughout.
3. First check, usually the next day or soon after. Some families stay the night with relatives in Ponda, Panjim or Vasco; others go home and return. Ask the surgeon what suits.
4. Follow-ups over the next weeks, the second eye if needed, and new spectacles once the eye has settled.

The operation itself is explained on cataract surgery at ReNew Vision.

Should we wait for the rains to stop?

For the eye, the season makes little difference with modern surgery; many people still believe it must wait for winter, but that is not needed. For the journey, the heavy Sattari monsoon is another matter: slow roads, fallen branches and early darkness. So:

• if the cataract is not urgent, it is reasonable to fix the dates for after the heaviest rain, but do not put it off for months if daily life is suffering;
• in the monsoon, leave much earlier and use a covered car, not a two-wheeler;
• keep rain off the operated eye with an umbrella and a cap, and do not wipe the eye with a wet cloth;
• damp clothes and towels breed germs; use a clean, dry towel only for the face.

Read cataract surgery in the rainy season.

The drop timetable at home

For some weeks after surgery, eye drops are needed several times a day. Ask for the timetable to be written clearly, make a copy for whoever helps, and write it out in Marathi or Konkani at home if that is easier for them. A phone alarm for each dose helps when the family is out at work or in the fields.

What to bring

• the patient's spectacles, old eye papers and all medicine strips, including blood thinners
• recent sugar and BP reports
• food, water, sunglasses and a shawl for the evening drive

Hours and emergencies

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

Questions patients ask

How far is ReNew Vision from Valpoi?

About 56 km, through Honda, Sankhali, the Amona bridge and Old Goa, then over the new Zuari bridge. Allow about an hour and a half by car, more in heavy rain.

Should cataract surgery wait until the monsoon is over?

Not for the eye's sake; the season makes little difference to modern surgery. For the journey from Sattari, some families prefer drier months, but do not delay for long if daily life is suffering.

Is there a bus from Valpoi to Vasco?

Take a KTC bus from Valpoi to Panjim, then a KTC shuttle to Vasco. For the surgery day, our home pickup is much easier for an elderly patient.

Can you collect my mother from our village in Sattari?

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.

Is there a ReNew Vision clinic in Valpoi?

No. ReNew Vision Eye Hospital is only in Vaddem, Vasco da Gama, about 56 km from Valpoi.

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