Ophthalmology in Colombia

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Medically trained doctors who care for patients who have eye and vision conditions are called ophthalmologists and are the only practitioners diagnosed and trained to treat all eye and vision problems. Their practice is very diverse, dealing with a wide range of issues and clinical conditions. Some of the most common conditions that they treat and manage include:

• Minor and major eye injuries
• Infectious eye disease
• Dry eyes
• Proptosis (bulged eyes)
• Glaucoma 
• Cataracts 
• Corneal pathology 
• Retinal problems, such as bleeding and detachment or tears of the retina
• Squints 
• Eye-related neurological problems
• Excessive tearing
• Intraocular inflammation
• Chronic eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

An ophthalmologist can offer a wide range of medical services, including surgical eye procedures. Some of the most common procedures that ophthalmologists perform are as follows:

• Eye examinations.
• Specialized tests, such as ultrasonography of the eyes and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Refractive surgery to correct vision, such as LASIK.
• Cataract surgery.
• Glaucoma surgery.
• Cancer treatment.
• Reconstructive surgery to repair birth abnormalities or trauma, such as crossed eyes.
• Neoplasm removal.
• Corneal transplants.
• Repairing torn or detached retinas.
• Strabismus surgery.
• Oculoplastic surgery (plastic surgery around the eye).
• Prescribing and fitting glasses and contact lenses.

How Long Should I Stay in Colombia?

Your length of stay depends on the type of treatment you undergo. In general, you may need to stay in Colombia for at least a week or to let your eyes recover and to attend follow-up checkups, where your ophthalmologist checks your condition and make sure that your eyes are healing properly. If everything is fine, they will allow you to leave for home. However, for some surgery, such as retinal detachment surgery, you should avoid flying until your eyes have fully healed. Therefore, it is best that you wait 3 to 4 weeks, sometimes even longer, before you travel home.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time depends on the type of surgery you underwent, your age, and overall health. It is generally recommended to rest your eyes for a few days. With LASIK, you may be able to return to work after a day. After a corneal transplant, you should wait for 2 to 3 weeks until you go back to work. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your ophthalmologist will give you instructions to care for your eye after the procedure. It is crucial that you follow all of them to have a quick recovery and obtain optimum results. To keep the result or to prevent complications, you will need to make some lifestyle changes, such as avoid smoking and staying active. You also need to attend regular checkups, typically once a year, with your local eye doctor or your ophthalmologist in Colombia.

What's the Success Rate?

Thanks to the continuous advancement of ophthalmology, eye treatments, and surgeries are now highly successful and safe. For instance, the latest research of LASIK showed that it has a 99% success rate in achieving 20/40 vision or better, whereas the success rate of corneal transplant is as high as 90%. However, it is important to be aware of the risks and side effects of eye treatments and surgeries, such as dry eyes, temporary visual problems, overcorrections, under correction, astigmatism, regression, and, very rarely, vision loss.

Are there Alternatives?

For some eye problems, you may be able to go to an optometrist as an alternative. However, if your conditions need to be treated through surgery, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Ophthalmology in and around Colombia

Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in northwestern South America. Since emerging from four decades of civil war, Colombia today has become a safe and rewarding place to visit. This country is blessed with breathtaking beauty, from Caribbean beaches and high Andean peaks to lush Amazon jungle and diverse wildlife, not to mention its gorgeous colonial cities, mysterious archeological sites, and magical culture. In recent years, the popularity of Colombia’s high-quality, internationally recognized medical centers has turned the country into an international medical tourism destination. The country is particularly popular for those who want to undergo top-quality, but affordable cosmetic surgery, such as liposuction and breast augmentation. 

Popular Parts of Colombia

Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, is a city of contrasts. Colonial churches stand side by side with modern high-rise buildings, and the culture is a mixture of Spanish, English, and Indian influences. Here, visitors can see the Museo de Oro (Gold Museum), tour Casa de Nariño (the president’s house), visit the Botero Museum, or check out a beautiful view of the city from Monserrate Church. Besides Bogotá, Cartagena is also a popular destination. It is a wonderfully preserved colonial town next to the Caribbean. It is famous for many things, such as its Old Walled City, Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, Playa Blanca, Getsemani, and Plaza de Trinidad.

Weather and Climate in Colombia

Due to its proximity to the Equator, Colombia experiences a tropical climate. The average temperatures in the country remain the same all year round, ranging from 17°C to 24°C. There are generally two seasons in the country: the dry season and the wet (rainy) season. The dry season runs from December to January and July to August. The weather during this season is pleasant, with lots of sunny days. However, it can be dusty and windy. The rainy season spans from April to May and October to November. Rain usually comes in the afternoon or at night, while the morning is sunny.

Getting around in Colombia

El Dorado international airport is the main airport in Colombia. It connects Bogota with 42 domestic and 46 international destinations, serving 26 different countries across the globe, including France, Mexico, Canada, the US, the UAE, Japan, and the Netherlands. The fastest and most convenient way to get around is by plane, especially when traveling long distances. All major cities are connected by frequent bus services. Long-distance services usually use large, comfortable buses, while shorter distances are covered with vans, sometimes even sedans. To get around in most of the Pacific coast and the Amazon, boats are the only option, though they can be expensive. Inside cities, taxis are widely available and city buses are reliable. Several cities also have cable-car lines and metro train services.

Tourist Visas in Colombia

Nationals of 99 countries, including all EU countries, Australia, the US, the UK, and Canada, do not need a visa to visit and stay in Colombia for up to 90 days unless noted otherwise. Citizens of other countries are required to obtain a visa before their visit. The visa is valid for up to 90 days. Colombia has a special temporary visa for medical treatment, which may be granted to a foreigner who needs to undergo medical treatment in Colombia for more than 90 days.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The currency of Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP). 1 USD is equivalent to 3,838 COP. US dollars are sometimes accepted, but be aware that the prices may go up if you use US dollars.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available throughout the main city. Credit cards, particularly Visa and MasterCard, are accepted. There is no tipping culture in Colombia, but many people tip around 10% of the bill.
3. Local Language: Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Colombia. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The biggest religion is Roman Catholicism. However, the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. 
5. Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Epiphany, Saint Joseph’s Day, Maundy Thursday, Corpus Christi, Sacred Heart, Colombia Independence Day, and Christmas Day are some of the most celebrated public holidays in Colombia.