Travel Insurance for Cataracts

What are cataracts?

A cataract is a cloudy patch that forms in the lens of the eye. The lens sits behind the pupil and is normally clear, so as it clouds over, things start to look blurred, faded or misty. Cataracts are among the most common eye conditions in older adults, and they usually develop slowly over years, in one eye or both.

People often notice glare from headlights or bright sunshine, colours looking washed out, or needing new glasses more often. When cataracts start to get in the way of daily life, the usual treatment is surgery to replace the cloudy lens with an artificial one. It’s a routine operation, and most patients are discharged on the same day. You can read more on the NHS cataracts page.

Why do I need to declare cataracts for travel insurance?

Cataracts are a pre-existing medical condition, and recent cataract surgery needs mentioning too. Your policy has to reflect them because cloudy vision can make falls more likely on unfamiliar ground, and the weeks after an operation carry a small risk of infection or inflammation that may need urgent care. A surgery date that moves and clashes with your holiday could also mean cancelling. If cataracts aren’t declared, a claim linked to your eyes could be refused or reduced.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with cataracts?

Yes, in a lot of cases. Many people with cataracts find a policy that includes them. A stable cataract that’s just being monitored is looked at differently from one where you’re waiting for an operation, have had surgery in the last few weeks, or have had complications afterwards, and that can shape whether cover is offered.

What we’ll ask about your cataracts

Our online medical screening is quick and straightforward. You'll input the condition and answer any questions asked by the medical screening system - in the case of cataracts, there may not be any. Once this condition is done, carry on and declare any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

When the medical declaration is complete, you’ll move on to the quote page. Where your cataracts and any other conditions are coverable, a list of quotes appears, with the cost of covering your medical already built into the premium. If cover isn’t possible, you’ll find out before you proceed.

If your health changes before travelling

Eye conditions can move on while you’re planning a trip. If, before your trip, a surgery date comes through, your eye drops change, you’re referred elsewhere, or you’re diagnosed with another eye condition, you must let us know. Your cover may need reviewing, we may need to refer your medical situation to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to proceed with cover. If you don’t let us know of any changes in your medical, a future claim can be affected or denied.

What can cataracts travel insurance cover?

If your cataracts are accepted, a related emergency on holiday can be covered in the same way as any other. For instance, if you’re recovering from surgery and develop a sudden, painful red eye while visiting family in Ireland, urgent treatment by a local eye doctor can be covered, along with getting you home with medical support if that’s needed. Everything is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

You may also be able to claim through cancellation cover if a problem with your eyes before departure means you can’t go.

Cataract surgery that you choose to have abroad isn’t covered by travel insurance, and neither is anything connected to an eye condition you didn’t declare. Routine check-ups and replacement glasses aren’t usually included either.

Will cataracts affect the cost of travel insurance?

Whatever difference cataracts make is set by your screening result rather than a standard charge. As part of online screening, there may be questions about how your cataracts are being treated and whether any problems after surgery are well controlled. Your age, destination, and travel dates have an influence as well. You can review the figure before you go ahead.

Single trip or annual cover with cataracts

Single trip cover suits one holiday. If you go away more often, annual multi-trip cover can work out better value, depending on your screening result. Bear in mind that any eye surgery between trips should be reported, as it may affect an annual policy.

Travelling with cataracts: practical tips

Here are some general pointers for travelling with cataracts or after surgery. They don’t form part of your cover.

Timing matters if you’re having an operation. Flying is usually fine fairly soon after routine cataract surgery, but you’ll have follow-up checks and eye drops to use for a few weeks, so ask your surgeon or eye clinic before you book. Swimming is normally off limits for a couple of weeks afterwards, so a beach holiday straight after surgery may not be the best plan.

Bright light can be hard going. Glare is one of the most common complaints with cataracts, and it’s worse on snow, water and white buildings. Good sunglasses that block UV, ideally wraparound, and a hat with a brim make a real difference in places like the Greek islands or the Alps.

Think about getting around in unfamiliar places. Cataracts can make it harder to judge steps, kerbs and uneven paving, especially in dim light or at dusk. Choose well-lit routes at night, take a small torch, and don’t plan to drive if your vision isn’t up to the legal standard. Your optician can tell you where you stand on that.

A few other useful things:

1. keep eye drops in your hand luggage, and check whether they need to be kept cool
2. pack a spare pair of glasses and a copy of your prescription
3. avoid rubbing your eyes, and keep dust, sun cream and pool water out of them after surgery
4. if you have diabetes, remember it needs declaring too, as does any diabetic retinopathy

How to get a quote

Start with where and when you’re travelling, then tell us about your cataracts and any other conditions in the screening. You’ll see the full price before you buy.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Eye,Ear,Nose,Throat Pages

• Burst or Perforated Eardrum Travel Insurance
• Cataracts Travel Insurance
• Conjunctivitis Travel Insurance
• Ear Infection Travel Insurance
• Meniere's Disease Travel Insurance
• Retinopathy Travel Insurance
• Sinusitis Travel Insurance
• Tinnitus Travel Insurance
• Tonsillitis Travel Insurance
• Vertigo Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.