I know what you’re thinking: LASIK in Colombia? Why not just do it in the USA? It’s a fair question, and one that I had too. So, why travel for surgery? Let me share my experience getting LASIK in Medellín, Colombia, and provide a complete guide to help you if you’re considering doing the same.
Preface: From 2017 to 2020, I lived in Medellín on and off, which gave me the opportunity to become familiar with the city, its medical facilities, learn Spanish, & know what it’s truly like around the city. I’ve also had extensive dental work done there, so I know firsthand that Medellín is home to many highly educated and skilled medical professionals.
Core details for getting LASIK in Medellin, Colombia
While there are other LASIK centers and hotels to choose from, I’ll be sharing my personal experience and the steps I took throughout the process.
Hotel: Novotel Medellin El Tesoro
LASIK Center: Oftalmólogos El Tesoro
Address: Torre Médica El Tesoro 1, Cra. 25a #1A sur 45 consultorio 1934, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Phone: +57 604 322 15 36
Doctor: Dr. Miguel Antonio Jaramillo Noguera (Instagram)
One of the best parts of this experience is that the hotel and hospital are connected through the El Tesoro shopping mall. After surgery, you can simply walk through the mall straight to your hotel room. Plus, there are plenty of food options within the mall, making it super convenient. You don’t have to worry about dealing with taxis, traffic, or polluted air, which makes the whole process much easier & comfortable.
How much did LASIK cost in Colombia?
The main draw of getting LASIK in Colombia is the significantly lower cost compared to the USA, where the average price ranges from $4,000 to $6,000. In Colombia, you can get the same procedure for nearly a quarter of the cost. Here’s a breakdown of the expenses. Keep in mind, this doesn’t include food or any tourist activities you might want to enjoy before or after the surgery and includes two plane tickets. (more on that later)
Initial Consultation: $87.88
LASIK Surgery: $931.20 (both eyes)
Hotel: $665.90 (5 Nights)
Plane Tickets: $684.82 (2 Round Trip Spirit Tickets)
Transportation: Estimated $150
LASIK cost in Colombia: $2519.80
My experience with LASIK in Medellín
When most people think of LASIK, it often brings to mind unsettling images of blades near the eyes, which can understandably sound intimidating. However, in reality, it’s one of the safest procedures available today and typically takes just about 15 minutes from the time you lie down to when you sit up.
While it’s natural to feel a bit nervous, the procedure is both painless and non-invasive, making it far less daunting than you might expect.
What is the schedule like?
Here’s a breakdown of my 6-day trip. I brought my partner along since it was her first time in Colombia, and on day 5 we decided to go out a bit. However, I wouldn’t recommend it — my eyes were still burning and highly sensitive to light, which made it pretty uncomfortable but I wanted to show her the city so I dealt with it.
Day 1: Early flight & arrived in Medellin at 1:17pm
Day 2: Evaluation at 8:30am & explore city
Day 3: Surgery at 7:30am
Day 4: Recovery in room
Day 5: Explored city with discomfort
Day 6: Follow up with doctor to take out protective contact lenses at 8am & flew home at 2:15pm
How many days do you need to be there?
So, how long do you need to take off work or plan to stay in Medellín? I stayed for 6 days, though it’s generally recommended to stay for about 7 days or more.
What to Expect During the Procedure
The LASIK procedure is quick, usually taking about 10-15 minutes per eye. I didn’t feel particularly nervous until I put on the scrubs, but even then, it wasn’t too overwhelming. That said, the experience can feel a bit unsettling since you’re watching them work directly on your eyes. But trust me, it’s not as bad as it seems, and you’ll be incredibly glad you went through with it—it’s a decision you’ll be 1000% happier about in the end.
Here’s a quick step-by-step overview of what to expect:
- Preparation: You’ll be dressed in scrubs, and your face will be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized. Shortly after, you’ll receive numbing eye drops to make sure you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. It’s definitely an unusual sensation.
- Procedure: Once everything is set, you’ll be asked to lie down on a table beneath the laser machine. Each eye takes about 6-7 minutes. During the procedure, a suction ring is placed on your eye to keep it steady, and a solution is applied to the area while the surgeon performs the necessary steps. Most of the time, it will feel like you’re looking up from the bottom of a lake, focusing on a green dot.
- Post Surgery: Almost immediately after the procedure, you’ll be able to sit up and might notice some improvement in your vision, though your eyes will likely feel gritty and sensitive. Despite that, I was able to see clearly enough to walk back to the hotel with sunglasses on without any issues.
What is the recovery process like?
In the first 48 hours after surgery, my eyes felt like they had sand in them, and they were incredibly sensitive to light—even the glow from my phone was uncomfortable. It’s normal to experience dryness, itching, and that gritty feeling during this time. My vision was also a bit blurry as my eyes began to heal. Resting in the hotel room and keeping my eyes closed as much as possible really helped with recovery.
The doctor provided specific eye drops that I had to use regularly, which were essential for preventing infection and keeping my eyes moisturized. I had to follow a strict drop schedule, and I recommend setting alarms to stay on top of it. You also wear these eye protectors at night to prevent rubbing which make for a funny photo.
Most people start to notice improvement within 24 to 48 hours, and I did too, but full recovery took me about a month. During that time, I had to avoid strenuous activities, swimming, and the temptation to rub my eyes. Which was pretty difficult.
You really don’t realize how often you touch your eyes until you are not supposed to.
Is LASIK in Colombia Worth It?
Absolutely! I don’t have to wear glasses anymore and by getting LASIK in Colombia, you not only save money but also have the chance to explore an incredibly beautiful city as a bonus. If you’ve never been, I’d say go—even if LASIK isn’t on your agenda, it’s worth the trip.
