The Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) covers cataract surgery and eye check-up in the post-surgery stage, improving the quality of life of many Thai people.
 
Niyom Chuanpair, 64, noticed hervision becoming blurred several months ago. She thought her eyesight had changed, so she visited an optical store to get new glasses.
 
After undergoing  an eye-checkup, the optician at the store suspected that she did not have a common eyesight problem.
 
The staff suggested she visit the doctor, who later determined she had cataracts and urgently needed lens replacement surgery.
 
She first thought the surgery would cost a financial burden on her.
 
But she soon found out that 100% of its cost was covered by Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) — the Thai government’s healthcare scheme that provides access to affordable healthcare to 47 million people in Thailand.
 
The surgery was not as complex as she expected. It lasted no more than one day, and she was discharged from the hospital on the same day. 
 



However, the doctor requested she be admitted to the hospital for two-day monitoring as her diabetes might cause complications.
 
She then returned to normal life with clearer vision after undergoing the treatment.
 
Niyom’s story reflects the shared experience of thousands of people receiving lens replacement surgery under the UCS, whose quality of life has improved due to accessible healthcare.
 
One surgery costs between 18,000 and 40,000 baht, depending on the hospital’s charges.
 
The expensive fee prevented many low-income people from getting the treatments before the introduction of UCS in 2002.
 

Clear and safe
Cataracts are the leading cause of vision impairment and blindness in Thai people and are often found in elder people.
 
Most cataracts occur due to normal changes in human eyes. As people age, the proteins in the lens of their eye start to break down and clump together — creating cloudy patches that block their vision.
 
Cataracts can lead to blurred vision and eventually blindness. It can be treated by surgery, which removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial lens.
 
The National Health Security Office (NHSO), which oversees UCS, has included lens replacement surgery in the scheme’s benefits package, as the studies suggest it’s one of the most common diseases among Thai elderly people.
 
In 2021, around 8,700 lens replacement surgeries were operated on for UCS beneficiaries.
 
The NHSO also negotiated with suppliers to purchase high-quality artificial lenses at the best prices.
 
“Artificial lenses we used are certified for high quality in the global standard.
 

They are clear and safe for patients,” said Dr Worapat Wongsawat, deputy director of health system development mission.
 
“The surgery rarely causes wounds in patients’ eyes. UCS benefits package also covers the cost of treating complications if they occur.”
 
Treatments are necessary
To encourage hospitals to seek patients with cataracts and offer surgeries, the NHSO ensures that all costs that occurred during the treatments will be reimbursed.
 
Hospitals will receive 7,000 baht in compensation for operating lens replacement surgery for a patient with blindness and severe low vision, and 9,000 baht for a case with complications.
 
Between 700 and 2,800 baht will be paid for an artificial lens depending on its type.
 
The NHSO also covers the cost of eye check-ups in the post-surgery stage.
 

Located in Nakhon Pathom, a state-run Metta Pracharak Hospital is well-known for operating high-quality lens replacement surgeries.
 
The hospital director Dr Arkom Chaiweerawattana said that the amount of NHSO’s compensation was enough to cover the surgeries and patients don’t need to pay extra.
 
“Vision impairment, though not a deadly disease, disrupts people’s quality of life and causes burdens to society, including productivity loss in people with vision problems and family members taking care of them,” he said.
 
“Treatments for their eyes are necessary and important.”