An Honest Guide to What Medellín LASIK Patients Should Expect

Being honest about LASIK means keeping three things apart: what usually happens, what can happen, and what someone is promising you. Advertising tends to blur them, and patients who travel for surgery have the most to lose when that happens. This guide sets out common expectations next to what official sources actually say, then walks through each stage of the experience in plain terms. Its focus is what you should expect. For a full list of complications, see our separate guide to LASIK risks and side effects.

Expectations versus what the sources say

Common expectation	A more accurate picture
"I'll know I'm a candidate before I fly."	Only an in-person exam can measure your corneas and other key factors. A remote review is provisional.
"It's in and out in a few minutes."	The FDA says the procedure itself should take less than 30 minutes, but the visit includes preparation and checks, and there are appointments before and after.
"I won't feel anything."	Numbing drops prevent pain, but the FDA describes pressure, dimmed vision, a ticking sound and sometimes a smell like burning hair.
"I'll have perfect vision the next morning."	Many people see well quickly, but the FDA says vision can fluctuate and take three to six months to stabilise.
"20/20 is guaranteed."	The AAO reports about 90% of people end up between 20/20 and 20/40 without glasses or contacts. The FDA says there are never any guarantees in medicine.
"I'll never need glasses again."	The AAO says LASIK cannot correct presbyopia; almost everyone needs reading glasses from around 40.
"Dry eye happens to other people."	The AAO says almost everyone has dry eyes at first. It usually fades within a month but can last longer.
"Once I'm home, I'm done."	Follow-up runs at regular intervals for at least six months, per the FDA and AAO.

Sources for the table: FDA, 2018, FDA, 2018 and AAO, 2024.

The consultation: what a good one feels like

The FDA describes a consultation in which the doctor goes through your candidacy, risks, benefits, alternatives and your responsibilities before and after surgery. You then have time to think, read the materials and ask questions before signing, and you should not feel pressured. You'll be asked about your medical and eye history, every medicine you take including over-the-counter ones, and any allergies.

That gives you a simple standard to measure any clinic against, in Medellín or anywhere else. Be wary if any of these happen:

• A surgery date is pushed before your test results have been explained
• A discount is offered only if you decide today
• Your questions are answered by a salesperson rather than a clinician
• Someone promises a specific result

The FDA specifically warns against relying on "20/20 or your money back" offers and package deals, and against choosing on cost alone.

Procedure day, described plainly

Based on the FDA's description, the procedure goes roughly like this. You lie back in a reclining chair beneath the laser. Numbing drops go in, the area is cleaned, and a small device holds your eyelids open. To create the corneal flap, the surgeon uses either a blade device or a laser. Either way, your vision dims for a moment and you feel pressure. You'll be asked to look at a fixation light while the reshaping laser runs, and you'll hear it ticking. The flap is laid back down, and a shield is usually placed over the eye because the flap has no stitches.

Feeling nervous is normal. Ask beforehand what you'll hear and feel, and whether you'll be offered something to help you relax. The FDA notes that a sedative may be given, which is one reason you shouldn't go back to your lodging alone.

The first few days

The FDA lists what to expect right after surgery: burning, itching or grittiness, tearing, possibly mild pain, hazy or blurry vision, light sensitivity, glare, halos or starbursts around lights, and red patches on the white of the eye. These usually improve a lot within the first few days. In practice that means:

• Don't rub your eyes, even when they itch, and wear the shield while you sleep as instructed
• Use your drops exactly on schedule
• Go to the first follow-up, which the FDA places within 24 to 48 hours
• Contact the clinic immediately if pain becomes severe or symptoms get worse rather than better

For a fuller day-by-day account, see our LASIK recovery timeline.

The months after

Patients rarely hear much about this part. The FDA says vision can keep fluctuating for the first few months, and that glare, halos and night-driving difficulty may last while it settles. If your result isn't quite what you hoped, a touch-up isn't a quick fix. The FDA says that if enhancement is being considered, eye measurements should be consistent across two visits at least three months apart. Because of that timing, a retreatment would usually mean a second trip, so read the clinic's enhancement policy before you book the first one.

What really is different about having it done in Medellín

• Payment. Canada's travel advice notes that private clinics in Colombia typically require advance payment (Government of Canada, 2026). Get a written breakdown of what's included.
• Legal recourse. The CDC points out that medical tourists who develop complications may not have the same legal options they would have at home (CDC Yellow Book, 2026).
• Who handles follow-up. Most of your follow-up will probably happen at home, so arrange an eye doctor there and bring your records in English, as the CDC advises.
• Language. Even at international-facing clinics, confirm who will speak with you directly and in what language.

None of this means Medellín is worse. It means the planning is your responsibility. Our clinic vetting checklist turns these points into questions to ask.

Honest signs of a good clinic

Good clinics often show it in small ways. They explain why you may not be suitable, not only why you are. They give you written information to take away and read. They answer questions about complications without getting defensive. They're happy for you to take time before deciding. None of these guarantees a good result, but together they show how the clinic treats patients.

Questions to ask yourself before committing

1. Would I still be content if I needed glasses for night driving or reading?
2. Have I read the risk information, not just the marketing?
3. Do I have time to stay longer if a follow-up shows something the surgeon wants to watch?
4. Is there an eye doctor at home who will see me afterwards?
5. Am I choosing this clinic for reasons other than price?

If any answer makes you hesitate, it's worth thinking through before you book.

Decide what "success" means to you, before the consultation

Many disappointed patients didn't have bad surgery. They had an unspoken goal that nobody discussed. Before your consultation, write down what you actually want, in plain terms:

• Driving without glasses in daylight?
• Swimming, running or playing sport without contacts?
• Reading a phone without glasses? (After 40, that's a different conversation. The AAO notes LASIK cannot correct presbyopia.)
• Comfortable night driving?

Bring the list and ask the surgeon how realistic each item is for your eyes. Some goals may be very likely, some only possible, and some best met another way. That conversation tells you more than any average figure. It also shows whether the surgeon listens to you or simply recites a sales script.

Frequently asked questions

Does LASIK hurt?

Numbing drops are used, so most people describe pressure rather than pain during the procedure. Afterwards, the FDA says burning, itching, grittiness and possibly mild pain are common at first and usually improve considerably within a few days. Severe pain means you should contact the clinic immediately.

How quickly will I see clearly after LASIK?

Many patients notice better vision quickly, but the FDA says vision can fluctuate for months and take three to six months to stabilise. The AAO describes a check the day after surgery and follow-up for at least six months.

Can a Medellín clinic guarantee my results?

No clinic anywhere can guarantee a medical result. The FDA warns patients to be wary of "20/20 or your money back" offers and says there are never any guarantees in medicine. A written policy on enhancements is something different, and worth reading carefully.

Will I still need glasses after LASIK?

Possibly, for some tasks. The AAO says some people still need glasses for reading or night driving and that LASIK cannot correct presbyopia, which affects almost everyone from around age 40.

How much weight should I give patient testimonials?

Not much. Testimonials are easy to invent and hard to verify, and they can't tell you how your own eyes will respond. The FDA's suggestion is more useful: ask the surgeon how their outcomes, including complications, compare with the results in the laser manufacturer's patient handbook.