Clinic A quotes LASIK, Clinic B quotes SMILE, and Clinic C quotes PRK. All three promise less dependence on glasses. That does not mean their screening standards, recovery plans or total costs are interchangeable. A valid comparison begins with the same basic information about your eyes, then explains why each proposed procedure fits or does not fit.

The shared screening foundation

Refractive surgery assessment generally includes measured refraction and its stability, corrected visual acuity, corneal topography or tomography, corneal thickness, tear-film and ocular-surface evaluation, an eye health examination, and appropriate discussion of pupil and retinal findings. A clinician may order further tests for suspicious corneal patterns or particular risk factors. The ESCRS publishes a detailed framework for refractive preoperative evaluation.

A quote based only on prescription and age is preliminary. If a clinic recommends a procedure without any discussion of dry eye, ectasia risk or prior eye history, ask how candidacy will actually be determined. One clinic's cheaper price may exclude the visit that finds out surgery is unsuitable.

Different procedures have different tradeoffs

LASIK makes a corneal flap before laser reshaping. PRK treats the surface after removing the epithelium and generally has a different early recovery and discomfort profile. SMILE uses a small incision to remove a corneal lenticule in eligible patients. None is a guarantee of perfect vision or freedom from dry eyes. The relevant question is whether the surgeon can justify a treatment based on your diagnosis, measurements and visual needs.

Compare quotes line by line

For each proposal, mark whether the fee includes full screening, the procedure for one or both eyes, postoperative medications, scheduled visits, management of complications, and assessments if vision is not as expected. Ask who performs the surgery, where the facility is registered, and whether written ophthalmology records are available for care back home.

In Colombia, use ReTHUS to help verify professional authorization and REPS to check the provider/facility registration; these are verification steps, not proof of results or a recommendation.

What the better proposal should say

  • Why is this particular procedure suitable given my measurements?
  • Which medical findings could change the plan on the examination day?
  • What longer healing period or activity restriction would apply?
  • Who is responsible for follow-up in Colombia and after I return home?
  • What costs remain if screening determines I should not have surgery?

Compare the rigor of the decision before comparing the attractiveness of the package.