Cataract Surgery in Colombia: Premium Care at 40-60% Less

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are the clouding of your eye's natural lens that occurs with age. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. Common symptoms include:

• Cloudy, blurry, or dim vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Need for brighter light when reading
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Double vision in one eye

Cataract surgery removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It's one of the most common and safest surgeries performed worldwide.

Types of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

Standard Monofocal IOL

The basic option covered by insurance in the US. Provides clear vision at one distance (usually far). You'll likely still need reading glasses.

Colombia price: $1,000-$1,500 per eye

Toric IOL

Corrects astigmatism in addition to cataracts. Provides clearer vision without the distortion that astigmatism causes.

Colombia price: $1,500-$2,000 per eye

Multifocal/Trifocal IOL

The premium option. Provides clear vision at multiple distances — near, intermediate, and far. Most patients achieve glasses independence for most activities.

Colombia price: $2,200-$2,800 per eye

Brands: Alcon PanOptix, Zeiss AT LISA tri, Johnson & Johnson TECNIS Synergy

Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF)

A newer technology that provides a continuous range of vision with potentially fewer visual disturbances than multifocals.

Why Choose Colombia for Cataract Surgery?

• 40-60% savings: Even premium IOLs cost less than basic surgery in the US
• Same technology: Colombian surgeons use the same Alcon, Zeiss, and J&J lenses
• JCI accreditation: Hospitals meet international quality standards
• Experienced surgeons: Many trained in the US and perform thousands of procedures annually
• Premium IOL availability: Access to latest lens technologies

US Insurance vs. Medical Tourism

What US insurance covers:

• Standard cataract surgery with monofocal lens
• Typically $0-$500 out of pocket with Medicare/insurance

What insurance does NOT cover:

• Premium IOLs (multifocal, toric, EDOF): $2,000-$4,000 per eye upgrade
• Laser-assisted cataract surgery: $500-$1,500 extra per eye
• Astigmatism correction: Additional cost

The medical tourism calculation:

If you want premium IOLs in the US, you'll pay $4,000-$8,000 per eye out of pocket for the upgrades. In Colombia, you can get premium multifocal surgery for $2,200-$2,800 per eye — less than just the upgrade cost in the US.

The Procedure

1. Anesthesia: Topical/local — you're awake but feel no pain
2. Incision: Tiny (2-3mm) self-sealing incision
3. Lens removal: Ultrasound (phacoemulsification) breaks up and removes the clouded lens
4. IOL insertion: The foldable artificial lens is inserted and unfolds into position
5. Completion: No stitches required; incision self-seals

Duration: 15-20 minutes per eye

Both eyes: Usually done 1-2 weeks apart to allow healing

Recovery

• Day 1: Vision already improving; mild discomfort possible
• Week 1: Most normal activities resumed; avoid heavy lifting
• Week 2-4: Vision continues stabilizing
• Month 1-3: Final prescription and glasses (if needed) can be determined

Planning Your Trip

Recommended stay: 10-14 days if doing both eyes

• Day 1-2: Arrival, pre-op evaluation
• Day 3: First eye surgery
• Days 4-9: Recovery, first eye follow-ups
• Day 10: Second eye surgery
• Days 11-14: Second eye recovery and final check

Some patients prefer two separate trips (one per eye) for longer recovery between surgeries.