LASIK is not covered by the VA for the vast majority of veterans. The VA's refractive surgery programme is limited to active-duty service members and a narrow set of veterans with service-connected eye conditions. If you are a veteran with a refractive error — nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism — and you want LASIK, you are paying out of pocket.
In the United States, that means $4,000–$6,000 for both eyes. In Colombia, the same procedure on the same laser platforms costs $1,049–$2,000. For a 3–5 day trip including flights and hotel, you will spend less than a single-eye LASIK in the US.
Why LASIK Is Perfect for a Quick Medical Trip
LASIK is the ideal medical tourism procedure because of its simplicity:
- Procedure time: 15–20 minutes for both eyes
- Recovery: Functional vision within hours. Most patients see 20/20 or better by the next morning.
- Trip duration: 3–5 days total — arrive, pre-op eval, procedure, post-op check, fly home
- Technology: Globally standardised. The same Zeiss VisuMax, Alcon WaveLight, and Schwind Amaris lasers used in US clinics are used in Colombian clinics.
- Satisfaction rate: Over 96% of LASIK patients report satisfaction with the procedure
Total Trip Cost for Veterans
| Expense | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Custom LASIK both eyes (Colombia) | $1,049–$2,000 |
| Round-trip flight (Miami–Medellín or similar) | $200–$450 |
| Hotel (3–4 nights) | $120–$350 |
| Travel insurance | $50–$150 |
| Meals and transport | $80–$200 |
| Total trip cost | $1,499–$3,150 |
| Same LASIK in the US | $4,000–$6,000 |
What to Expect
- Before you go: Get a current eye exam from your US optometrist or ophthalmologist. You need a recent prescription and corneal thickness measurement.
- Day 1: Arrive in Medellín or Bogotá. Rest (no jet lag — same timezone as East Coast).
- Day 2: Comprehensive pre-op evaluation at the clinic. Corneal topography, pupil dilation, candidacy confirmation.
- Day 3: LASIK procedure. Walk out with eye shields. Vision improves within hours.
- Day 4: Post-op check. If cleared, you can fly home the same day or stay an extra night.
- Back home: Follow up with your US optometrist at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months.
Who Should NOT Get LASIK Abroad
LASIK abroad is not for everyone. You should get LASIK at home (or not at all) if:
- Your prescription is unstable (has changed significantly in the past year)
- You have corneal conditions like keratoconus
- You have autoimmune conditions that affect healing
- You are not a LASIK candidate (your US ophthalmologist should screen for this before you book)
See Clearly Without the US Price Tag
Send us your current prescription. We will confirm candidacy and provide a complete quote from verified ophthalmologists in Colombia.
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