Lasik Eye Surgery in Bogota

bickerss says on Dec 10, 2005, 14:18:

Yes, I had lask done in Bogota a year ago. The results were excellent and i was very impressed with the equipment etc. i checked around in Australia and the equipment etc was the latest. It cost me about 1000 USD including both eyes, the pre stage and later visits. As a comparision on costs in Australia it would have cost me about 4300 USD. I do think that the doctor charged me a gringo price as some of the brits had it done for 600 USD (different place).

The actual procedure took about 2 mnutes and my eyes were pretty sore the first day, then mild pain for about a week. Have to put eye drops in ur eyes for a few weeks.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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Lucia Rojas says on Dec 10, 2005, 15:09:

Yes Excellent procedures. Super safe and very cheap. Colombia is one of the places to get eye surgery.
I had it done and it took like three minutes on each eye and i didnt even experience the pain that bickerss is describing. Next day i was ready. I just had to stay out of pools and oceans for two weeks after, but that was it.
Now I dont even remeber I used to be sort of blind...

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jaramillo says on Dec 11, 2005, 01:26:

There is a previous thread on this issue The late Dr. Barraquer (from a legendary family of Catalán ophtalmologists) was a pioneer of LASIK. His son runs the Barraquer clinic in Bogotá. Firsat rate.

http://www.barraquer.com.co/

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thur says on Dec 11, 2005, 03:47:

Went there... Last summer I was all prepared to get the surgery. I looked at all places, recommended by some people were Barraquer Clinic and Optilaser (and several others but I forgot their names). Eventually I had to choose between Barraquer and Optilaser. The prices of these don't differ that much, although Barraquer was a bit more expensive. Optilaser has 2 offices, ISO certification (see their website), it all looked good but I chose Barraquer instead. One for the name, two I was told they had at the time two lasermachines in use of which one looked (on paper) more suitable for me, because I have fairly large pupils. At Optilaser they had one and were working to get another one but by the time I was travelling they stil had the one (frist contact in January, I traveled in July). E-mail was nicely asnwered by Optilaser, Barraquer didn't respond... I had to call them.
Anyway, Barraquer: First consult was 150.000 COP which you'll have to pay no matter what, they'll check your eyes (an optometrist and an ophthamologist). Then the next day the wavefront mapping (another doctor) which is about 290.000 COP and then you'll see the ophtamologist again to discuss the results. You'll get the advice "ASBOLUTELY NO RUBBING THE EYES".
What was striking: a LOT of diplomas of Jose I. Barraquer in all hallways with all sort of decorations, just about everywhere. In the waiting areas there were all class of people, most looked like low class and there were some high class and some foreigners (including me). I talked to several Venezuelaeans and an American. Everyone (and I do mean everyone) working there was _very_ friendly. The building itself looks a bit old from the inside, a bit dark, old sofas to wait on, there were a lot of people and even though your appointment is at 15.00h, you'll get called at 15.15h but won't actually see the doctor at 16.30h. You'll see different doctors according to what they do (specialisation), but they're _all_ very friendly, very personal, nice atmosphere, very attentive and take their time. I felt in good hands.
Now, you ask... how did the lasik/wavefront actually go? After a good talk my doctor (there are several, depending on who's available I guess... I got to see Dra. C. Barraquer twice: also a VERY friendly older lady by the way) saw a problem and didn't recommend the surgery. Which also shows they're not in it for fun, there were several extra tests and in the end she said no. She's pretty well known, does a lot of research and has a lot of experience. No need to second guess it.
A week or so later I talked to someone in Bogotá centre to recheck my glass prescription as I went to buy new glasses. He told me he worked with Optilaser and that they were better (*grin*) but certainly relied on the diagnosis of the Barraquer doctor. So I eventually bought a nice pair of glasses in stead.
Overall I have no reason not to recommend Barraquer, take your time, be friendly and it'll work out fine. I planned 6 whole weeks to have several after-surgery check ups at the clinic itself :-) Good luck.
Greetings,

http://www.barraquer.com.co
http://www.optilaser.com.co

[edit: in total it would be around 1100 USD both eyes including everything]

- pbase.com/thur

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