For those who suffer from vision problems, laser eye surgery in Costa Rica can be an effective and affordable fix. With the help of Medical Departures, you can back (after treating yourself to an exotic holiday) never needing to wear glasses or contact lenses again! 

As Costa Rica has grown increasingly popular as a tourist destination, an increasing number of people are choosing to travel there to also take advantage of low prices on a number of healthcare procedures. Laser eye surgery, also sometimes referred to as LASIK eye surgery, can help men and women to eliminate the need to wear glasses or contact lenses.

This procedure is commonly used to treat nearsighted vision, astigmatism, and far-sighted vision. During the surgery, the cornea is reshaped using a laser, making it possible for the retina to focus properly on light.

Lower costs are the main reason for traveling to Costa Rica to have laser eye surgery; granted, the same runs true for medical tourism anywhere in the world. While healthcare costs have soared in the United States, prices are typically much lower in Costa Rica. With many well-qualified, English-speaking physicians, Costa Rica is a great choice for medical travelers. Travelers from the United States can also take advantage of the fact that it's a short flight to Costa Rica.

In the last few years, Costa Rica has become a hot spot for ecotourism and those with an interest in nature. The Latin American country has a long-standing commitment to conservatism and is home to numerous national parks, including Manuel Antonio National Park. As the recovery period for laser eye surgery is not extensive, travelers will have ample opportunity to sample the many beautiful attractions in Costa Rica.

In the planning process, it's important to conduct ample research to ensure you choose the right facility. We can help at Medical Departures by providing you with an unbiased list of medical facilities and surgeons specializing in laser eye surgery. Facilities are only included on our list once they have passed our exhaustive research process, which includes verifying qualifications and professional memberships.

Additionally, we ensure the facility follows international standards, such as those established by Joint Commission International. We also visit facilities in person and obtain real patient reviews before including a facility on our list.

Prior to your procedure being performed, you will first meet with your surgeon, who will perform an eye examination, including several tests. You should be prepared for the surgeon to dilate your pupils, measure the thickness of your corneas, and perform an air pressure test. The doctor will also look for any signs of dry eyes, infection, inflammation, or other conditions. As part of this examination, the doctor will determine which areas of the cornea will require reshaping in order to achieve your vision goals.

To ensure you do not experience any discomfort, you will be given numbing eye drops prior to the beginning of the surgery. During the surgery, your doctor will use a laser to remove very specific amounts of tissue from the cornea. Depending on your needs, the surgeon may also use the laser to flatten the curve of the cornea or even make the curve steeper. The entire procedure (including the consultation and planning) can typically be performed in less than an hour.

You may notice some itching or burning in your eyes after your surgery. Some patients also experience watering of the eyes following laser eye surgery. You should not experience any pain. If you do experience discomfort, your doctor may provide you with eye drops. While some patients do experience some blurriness after laser eye surgery, they usually recover their vision shortly thereafter. You may be advised by your physician to wear a shield over your eyes at night for a while following your surgery. Your doctor may advise you to return to the clinic within a few days after your procedure to make certain your eyes are healing as they should. Full results are typically seen within three months following laser eye surgery.

The average price of laser eye surgery in Costa Rica is about $1,000 per eye (EUR €908, AUD $1,344, GBP £702) compared to $2,500 per eye (EUR €2,241, AUD $3,496, GBP £1,733) per eye in the United States.

For exact the latest, as well as clinic photos, surgeon profiles, patient reviews and other useful information, check out our partner clinic Oftalmejia which is located in San Jose and offers LASIK surgery to international patients. 

Ready to schedule your appointment? Read below for more details or contact our Customer Care Team for more information on laser eye surgery in Costa Rica which can be an effective and affordable solution for those with vision problems.

Sources: 

LASIK Eye Surgery. WebMD. 19 April 2019.
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/lasik-laser-eye-surgery

Ecotourism in Costa Rica. Go Visit Costa Rica. Website last accessed: 9 November 2019. 
https://www.govisitcostarica.com/travelInfo/ecotourism.asp

Probasco, Jum. Why Do Healthcare Costs Keep Rising? Investopedia. 16 October 2019. 
https://www.investopedia.com/insurance/why-do-healthcare-costs-keep-rising/

LASIK & Advanced Vision Correction - FAQs. Flaum Eye Institute. Website last accessed: 9 November 2019. 
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/eye-institute/lasik/faq.aspx

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