Enhancement (or retreatment) procedures — a follow-up correction after initial surgery — are a normal, well-understood part of refractive surgery outcomes, worth discussing honestly rather than treating as a hidden downside.
What causes the need for enhancement
- Under-correction or over-correction from the initial procedure, more common in higher prescriptions
- Natural corneal healing variation between individuals, which can affect the precision of the final result
- Some regression of the original prescription over time, in a small percentage of patients
Enhancement rates are generally low across the industry, and higher initial prescriptions carry a somewhat higher likelihood of needing enhancement than milder ones — this is a known, predictable pattern, not a sign of surgical error when it occurs.
What to ask about enhancement policy before your initial procedure
- What's this clinic's own reported enhancement rate?
- Is a future enhancement included in your initial price, or an additional cost?
- What's the typical waiting period before an enhancement can be performed, if needed?
Why this matters for international patients specifically
If enhancement becomes necessary, you may need a follow-up trip back to Colombia (or coordination with a local provider, depending on your clinic's policy) — worth understanding this possibility upfront rather than assuming your initial trip is unconditionally your only visit.
The reassuring context
The large majority of patients never need an enhancement — this is a real but genuinely minority outcome, worth planning for informationally without over-weighting it in your overall decision.
Ready to talk to someone?
Message us on WhatsApp for a free, no-obligation consultation.