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Centro Oftalmologico Guanacaste, located in Barrio La Palmera, Guanacaste, Costa Rica offers patients Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) procedures among its total of 38 available procedures, across 1 different specialties. Currently, there's no pricing information for Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) procedures at Centro Oftalmologico Guanacaste, as all prices are available on request only. All procedures and treatments are undertaken by the lead specialist at the Hospital, and they are not accredited by any recognized accreditations institutes
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LASIK (laser in situ keratomileuses), commonly referred to as laser eye surgery, is a type of refractive eye surgery to correct vision issues. The procedure reshapes the cornea in order to allow light that enters the eye to be properly focused onto the retina for better and clearer vision. It is mainly performed to treat hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism. In some cases, LASIK may also be performed on people with mild to moderate cases of refractive errors.
LASIK surgery is basically pain-free and quick. The results enable you to have improved vision eyeglasses or contact lenses. The procedure can be performed on people between the ages of 21 and 40. Sometimes, people over 40 years old can also undergo this procedure.
It is important to be aware that LASIK is not for everyone. There are some cases where patients are not recommended to undergo the procedure, particularly those with keratoconus, immune system disorders, large pupils, advanced glaucoma, eye issues caused by diabetes, past ocular herpes infection, autoimmune disorders, and dry eyes. Make sure to consult with your eye doctor before considering undergoing this type of surgery.
Before LASIK, you may have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism and you are probably dependent on eyeglasses or contact lenses. Wearing either eyeglasses or contact lenses limits your activities. After LASIK, you can have a clear vision and live an active lifestyle, such as participating in sports. The procedure will significantly improve your quality of life.
Expense variation for Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) in Costa Rica can be significantly high due to multiple contributing aspects such as the selected healthcare provider, the surgeon’s competency, and the intricacy of the patient's case. A price span from $1,000 to $3,000 per eye is the typical range. It's crucial to underscore that insurance agencies often categorize Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) as an aesthetic treatment, which may lead to non-inclusion under regular health insurance schemes. To aid in managing this expenditure, your preferred clinic might offer payment plans.
Before the surgery, your eye doctor will give you an instruction on how to prepare for the surgery. Your cornea will be measured and your medical history will be evaluated. If you regularly wear contact lenses, you will have to stop wearing them completely for at least a few weeks before the procedure as contact lenses can change the shape of your cornea.
During LASIK, you lie on your back on a reclining chair. The procedure is performed under topical anesthetic, which will numb your eyes. An instrument is used to hold your eyelids open.
Your surgeon uses a small surgical tool called a microkeratome or uses a femtosecond laser to cut a small hinged flap away from the front of your eye (cornea). The hinged flap is then folded back to access the underlying cornea. After this, your eye doctor reshapes your cornea using a programmed laser. The cornea is reshaped so light entering your eye can focus more accurately on your retina for improved vision. Once your cornea is reshaped, the flap is put back into place. The flap normally heals without any stitches.
LASIK is often performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you can leave the hospital once the effects of topical anesthesia and sedation wear off. The procedure itself may take 30 minutes to complete for both eyes. However, you should not leave Costa Rica immediately after you are discharged. The recommended length of stay is around 3 to 5 days to allow your body to recover, as well as to attend a follow-up checkup. During the checkup, your eye doctor will evaluate the health of your eye and visual acuity. It’s important to arrange the trip accordingly, taking these time frames into consideration to ensure sufficient recovery time
During the day of the procedure, you may experience hazy or blurry vision. However, your vision will improve over the next couple of days after the procedure. If your job is not physically demanding, you should be able to go back to work within 2-3 weeks after the procedure. Your eyes will continue to heal and improve for about 6 months after LASIK. It is important to follow all aftercare instructions from your healthcare provider to minimize complications and accelerate the healing process.
Make sure you follow all instructions that your eye doctor gives you to achieve the best result and to avoid complications. You may have to refrain from doing any strenuous activities during your recovery period in order to ensure that your eyes heal properly. Always protect your eyes from injuries because your eyes are usually more susceptible to traumatic injuries after LASIK. You may have to attend regular follow-up visits to check your vision, but this is normally done with your local eye doctor.
Remember that LASIK does not prevent you from getting other eye diseases, so always protect your eyes. Eat healthy food to maintain the quality of your eyesight, wear a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from sun rays, take breaks when you are working on the computer or using your cell phone do not strain your eye, get enough sleep after a long day, and visit your eye doctor regularly.
LASIK offers a very high success rate. Studies revealed that 95% of patients with nearsightedness can achieve 20/25 vision following their surgery. More than 8 out of 10 people who’ve had :ASIK surgery no longer need glasses or contact lenses in their daily activities.
The results you will get depend on several factors, including your specific refractive error. Those with low degree nearsightedness usually achieve the most successful result. The results are less predictable on people with high degree farsightedness or nearsightedness, along with astigmatism.
Some LASIK patients require a second surgery for enhancement because the surgery results led to an under-correction. In some very rare cases, some people’s eyes can slowly return to the level of vision they had before surgery due to certain conditions, such as another eye problem, abnormal wound healing, and hormonal imbalances.
LASIK also carries some risks that you need to be aware of, including dry eyes, glare, double vision, halos, under-corrections, overcorrections, flap problems, astigmatism, regression, vision loss, and vision changes. Make sure to talk to your eye doctor about the risks.
The main alternative to LASIK is Phakic intraocular lens implants and Epi-Lasik. With Phakic intraocular lens implants, the corneal layers are not peeled or cut. Instead, an artificial lens made of silicone or plastic will be implanted to improve your vision. In Epi-Lasik, your natural lens is removed using a laser and replaced with an artificial IntraOcular lens. Since the artificial lens stays clear and never ages, the results last longer than other refractive procedures. Non-surgical choices like glasses and contact lenses are equally feasible. Guidance on the most suitable option, tailored to your unique condition, way of life, and aspirations, could be provided by your health professional. Before making a decision, it's essential to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
Preparation for a Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) procedure begins with an initial consultation where your eye health will be thoroughly evaluated. This involves a series of eye tests to measure corneal thickness, refraction, corneal mapping, pupil dilation, and intraocular pressure. These tests help determine your eligibility for the procedure and develop a surgical plan tailored to your needs. Additionally, you're expected to halt the use of contact lenses for a certain period before the surgery as they can alter the shape of your cornea, affecting the precision of the procedure. Honest and open communication with your healthcare provider is essential during this stage to address any concerns or anxiety.
After the Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) procedure, immediate recovery involves rest, as you may experience blurry vision and slight discomfort. These are normal symptoms and generally subside within a few hours to a couple of days. For your post-surgery period, you will be given a set of instructions to follow; this can include using prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and inflammation, wearing an eye shield while sleeping to avoid inadvertently rubbing your eyes, and avoiding strenuous activities that may cause pressure in your eyes. A follow-up visit to your healthcare provider is typically scheduled 24-48 hours after the surgery and then at regular intervals for at least six months thereafter. During these visits, your doctor will monitor your healing progress and advise on any necessary adjustments in aftercare. It's important to remember that while most people experience significantly improved vision almost immediately, your eyesight may continue to occasionally fluctuate over several months post-surgery. In fact, the ultimate results of Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) can take up to six months to stabilize as your eyes heal and adjust.
When selecting a surgeon to execute the Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) in Costa Rica, it's critical to ascertain their suitability in terms of qualifications and expertise. It's suggested for prospective patients to start by verifying their surgeon's board-certification in ophthalmology. Yet, a board certification in this specialty alone isn't sufficient - supplementary training and expertise in refractive surgery, primarily Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK), is equally vital. Ideally, your surgeon should have undergone a fellowship in refractive surgery; this offers comprehensive, practical training in the Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) and other analogous procedures.
Consideration of experience forms another pivotal aspect. Surgeons fortified with multiple years of professional practice and a substantial tally of successful procedures are more proficient in managing challenging cases and unforeseen situations. These professionals are also more likely to be well-versed with contemporary technologies and surgical techniques. Offering information concerning their complication rates, inclusive of both during the surgical process and the recuperation phase, should be the norm for the surgeon.
Let's not forget, the choice of an appropriate surgeon markedly influences the outcome of your Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK). Hence, spare ample time for exhaustive research and evaluation of several alternatives.
Upon undergoing a Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) in Costa Rica, it's expected to encounter some aftermath effects while your eyes are healing. These might encompass light sensitivity, foggy vision, difficulties whilst night driving, perception of halos around lights, or feeling like there's a foreign object in your eye. Typically, these symptoms diminish within a span of a few days to some weeks. To cope with such effects, it is often suggested for patients to allow their eyes some rest and keep away from activities inducing eye stress.
Dryness in the eyes is another frequently encountered side effect post Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK). Your healthcare provider may propose the usage of lubricating eye drops, also known as artificial tears, to mitigate this. In certain scenarios, prescription eye drops fostering tear production might be used. For severe instances of dry eyes, punctal plugs could be placed in the tear ducts to thwart tear drainage and ensure the eyes remain moist.
It's worth mentioning that although not common, inflammation, infections, or corneal flap issues could also emerge. In such situations, swift medical intervention is necessary to counteract the condition and avoid further complications.
In rare instances, if problems continue or if the vision improvement isn't satisfactory, additional treatment or a subsequent Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK), termed as an enhancement, might be essential. Therefore, scheduling regular follow-up appointments with your doctor is critical to track your recovery process and promptly manage any potential side effects.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Costa Rica is a tiny country in Central America, bordered by Panama, Nicaragua, the Caribbean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. This country is generally regarded as having the most democratic and stable government of all the Central American countries. It charms its visitors with unspoiled beaches, lush rainforests, a plethora of wildlife, and steaming volcanoes. Besides its breathtaking landscape, Costa Rica is also famous for its healthcare. Tens of thousands of medical tourists come to this country to take advantage of its world-class yet inexpensive medical care. Most of the medical procedures in the country are 40% to 50% cheaper than in the United States or Europe. Cosmetic surgery and dentistry are the most sought-after procedure, but a growing number of foreign patients also come for orthopedic treatment, bariatric surgery, and eye surgery.
Surrounded by volcanoes and green hills, San José, the capital and largest city of Costa Rica, has one of the most spectacular settings in the world. This laid-back and pleasant capital is filled with colonial mansions that have been converted into contemporary galleries, amazing food, and vibrant nightlife. The most popular attractions in this city are Museo de Jade, Teatro Nacional, Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, and Mercado Central. Those who want to relax under the sun usually visit Tamarindo, which is famous for its beaches. Here, visitors can visit Las Baulas National Marine Park, go rafting in the Colorado River, or relax in Playa Tamarindo.
Due to its close proximity to the Equator, Costa Rica is a tropical country with two seasons: the dry “summer” season and rainy “winter” season. The dry season, from January to April, is warm and pleasant. Rain is very unlikely to fall during this season, even in the rainforests. The rainy season, sometimes called the “green season,” is hot and humid. Rain usually falls in the afternoon and evening, while the mornings are often sunny. On the Caribbean coast, rainfall is spread out throughout the year, but it gets far less rain in September and October.
Juan Santamaría International Airport is the main international airport in Costa Rica, located in San José. It has various flights to domestic and international destinations, including Toronto, Mexico, New York, and London. Affordable domestic flights between San José and popular destinations are the fastest way to get around and handy for accessing the more remote areas. Buses are reasonably priced and have an extensive network, but they can be slow. Private and shared shuttles are available, the best way to get around is, however, by renting a car as it gives more flexibility and allows you to access more remote destinations.
Everyone who wants to visit and stay in Costa Rica is required to have a passport unless they are a citizen of one of the visa-exempt countries. The visa-exempt countries include EU countries, the UK, the US, Australia, Russia, and several other nations. Citizens of other countries not listed in the visa exemption agreement need to apply and obtain a visa before visiting.