Last month, we had visited our opthalmologist, Dr.V for a regular check up. I come from a family where all of us wear spectacles; even my 6-yr-old does. After checking my mother's eyes he said that she had developed a cataract in both her eyes, the right one had progressed more than the left. He said that we could go in for surgery whenever it was comfortable for us. It was not very urgent either. He said the cost of operating on one eye with a foldable, intra ocular lens would be around Rs35000.
Needless to say my mother was a bit shocked. She did not have too many symptoms and was not bargaining on spending so much so soon after my sister's mariage. She called a couple of friends who had undergone cataract surgery recently. One of them told her that she had been to another doctor, a Dr.C, also consulting in the same locality and one that we used to go to a long time back. She said he charged only half the amount and was a good doctor as well. My mother naturally wanted to go and consult with him too. I was reluctant at first, my argument being he might be using a much inferior lens than Dr.V. But later I gave in and a couple of days back, we went to him for a second opinion.
On entering his room, my mother told him that she had been diagnosed with cataract and she had come to him for a second opinion. Dr.C did not open his mouth. He flashed his torch at my mother's eyes and said to his assistant, " Inka aankh dilate karo". Back to the waiting room, his assistant administered some drops for dilating her pupils. We waited around for half an hour then he called us back in. Again, checked her eyes with a torch, then a machine, and then he said, "Come for a check up after 6 months."
Just like that, he had dismissed us. We looked at each other, blinked, then I asked him if her cataract surgery could be put off for 6 more months, if it would cause any harm, etc. He immediately turned to me and started yelling," If you go and tell a doctor your diagnosis, the doctor will say, come, I will operate. You have to tell me your symptoms and not the diagnosis. Just imagine, if you go to a cardiologist and say you had a block he would say yes because everybody has a block and he would get ready to perform open heart surgery on you. Only if you feel pain, you should go to him! Would you go to a doctor just like that or if you have a problem? Please donot come rushing to an ophthalmologist if your neighbour or close relative gets a cataract surgery done on him/ her. There are some doctors who would make you do all the tests and all the surgeries available at the first opportunity but I am not from that group. I am from the group of doctors who believe that only if you cannot get out of bed in the morning then you should go to a doctor. " He went on in this vein for about 20 minutes.
Had this man never heard of prevention? And, he chooses to give me the example of the most vital part of our body, the heart! Nowadays, there is more and more awareness regarding our health and the benefits of diagnosing diseases earlier or preventing them altogether if you are prone to them. Would we or would'nt we go to a doctor if we fall sick and/ or find out there is something wrong with our health or would we wait till we cannot get out of bed? Dr.C could have just said that since the patient didnt have too many symptoms, we could wait for a while to operate. But, no! he had to give us a lecture about what we should do and shouldn't do and finally took consultation fees of Rs.400 as well leaving us irriated and angry at him at his rude behaviour. I dont know what made me leave that place without saying a word. I just wish I had given him a piece of my mind, yelled fiercely and thrown the money on his face and come home....at least I would have been at peace!
