If you are currently facing the need to have cataract surgery done on one or both of your eyes, you might not be looking forward to the cost of this procedure. If you are uninsured or underinsured, there is a good chance that you will be held responsible for the cost of your surgery. This could leave you thinking about traveling overseas to have the surgery done at a lower rate, but this is a decision that you should seriously reconsider. Even though people from all over the United States travel overseas to have various procedures done at lower prices, this can be a very bad idea, especially if you are having surgery done on your eyes. These are a few reasons why.

1. The Surgery Might Not Be Safe

Depending on the country that you are thinking about traveling to for your surgery, you should know that many overseas countries don't require their physicians to be held to the same standards as they are held to in the United States. This means that you could end up having your procedure done by a physician who would not be considered qualified to do the job in the United States. The surgery could also be an outdated surgery and might not be as successful or as safe as the procedure that you would have done at home.

2. You May Not Be Able to Get the Medication That You Need

After cataract surgery, you will need to use various types of eye drops to keep your eyes properly lubricated and to help them heal properly. The prescription that you get from overseas will not be considered valid in the United States, however, which could make it very difficult for you to get the medication that you need to properly treat your eyes after the procedure.

3. It Might Not Be Safe to Travel Home Afterward

As you might already know, airplane travel can make your eyes very dry in even the best of conditions. However, after cataract surgery, it is very important to keep your eyes properly lubricated so that they can remain comfortable and heal properly. Along with causing problems with the lubrication of your eyes, you may also find yourself in a medical emergency without access to a doctor while you are on the plane. If you have the procedure done in the United States, however, you do not have to worry about the dangers of international travel during the healing process.

As you can see, traveling overseas to have your cataract surgery done is probably not your best idea. Instead, if money is an issue, consider sitting down and talking to your eye doctor about your situation. He or she might be able to help you get financial assistance with paying for your operation or might have other ideas to help make it more affordable for you.