What cataract surgery costs in Colombia
Typical 2026 all-in ranges in Medellín and Bogotá run from about $1,200 to $2,800 per eye with a standard monofocal lens, and $2,200 to $4,500 per eye with a premium toric, multifocal or extended-depth-of-focus lens. All-in means surgeon, anesthesia, facility, the intraocular lens, and the standard follow-up visits. These are typical ranges, not quotes; your number depends on the lens, the surgeon, and whether femtosecond laser assistance is used.
In the US, Medicare and most insurers cover a basic monofocal cataract surgery, so the real comparison for many Americans is the premium lens upgrade, which is out of pocket everywhere. In Canada the base surgery is covered but waits of many months are common, and private clinics charge cash for expedited or premium-lens cases.
Lens choices and what they mean for the trip
| Lens type | What it does | Trade-off | Colombia price impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monofocal | Sharp distance vision, glasses for reading | Simplest, most predictable | Base price |
| Toric | Corrects astigmatism | Requires precise alignment; ask about post-op rotation policy | +$500 to $1,200 |
| Multifocal / trifocal | Distance, intermediate and near | Halos and glare at night for some patients | +$900 to $1,800 |
| EDOF | Extended range with fewer halos than multifocal | Reading may still need light glasses | +$800 to $1,600 |
Premium lenses are where a bad match hurts most. A surgeon who does not ask about your night driving, your reading habits and your tolerance for halos before recommending a trifocal is selling a lens, not planning your vision. Bring your most recent refraction and any macular OCT if you have had one.
How many days you need
- Day 1 to 2: biometry and consult. The clinic measures the eye (biometry, topography, sometimes OCT) to calculate the lens power. Do not skip this by sending numbers from home; lens calculation is done on the clinic's own machines.
- Day 3: first eye. Surgery takes 15 to 25 minutes under topical or local anesthesia. You walk out with a shield.
- Day 4: first post-op check. Pressure and healing check. If all is well the second eye is scheduled.
- Day 5 to 7: second eye. Many surgeons operate the second eye 2 to 4 days after the first. Some offer immediate sequential bilateral surgery on the same day; ask about their protocol.
- Day 8 to 10: final check and fly. You will fly home on a drop schedule for 3 to 4 weeks. Bring the printed schedule for your eye doctor at home.
How to vet the ophthalmologist
- Verify the surgeon on ReTHUS and confirm the ophthalmology specialty is registered.
- Ask how many cataract surgeries they perform per year and what their posterior capsule rupture rate is. A high-volume surgeon will answer without hesitation.
- Confirm the facility is registered in REPS and whether it is a dedicated eye hospital or a general surgical center.
- Ask what happens if you need a YAG capsulotomy in a year. Get the price and whether it can be done at home.
- Get the lens brand and model in writing. You will need it for any future eye care.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do both eyes on one trip?
Yes. Most Colombian surgeons do the second eye 2 to 4 days after the first once the first is stable. Some offer same-day bilateral surgery; ask about their protocol.
Is the premium lens worth it?
It depends on your lifestyle and tolerance for night halos. Multifocal and EDOF lenses work well for many people, but a surgeon should explain the trade-offs before recommending one, not after.
How soon can I fly after cataract surgery?
Typically within a few days once the surgeon has checked eye pressure. Cabin altitude does not affect a healed cataract incision, but you must keep the drop schedule.
What if I need a YAG laser later?
Posterior capsule opacification happens in a meaningful share of patients months or years later. A YAG capsulotomy is a quick office procedure that any ophthalmologist at home can do; get the lens details in writing so they have the record.