Procedures
Laser reshaping of the cornea to reduce or remove dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Quick, outpatient, and backed by more than two decades of practice.
What it is
LASIK corrects the way the eye focuses by changing the shape of the cornea, the clear dome at the front of the eye. In a nearsighted eye light comes to a focus in front of the retina; in a farsighted eye, behind it; with astigmatism, at more than one point. Reshaping the cornea by a few hundredths of a millimetre moves that focus.
It is the most widely performed refractive operation in the world, and also one of the most carefully screened. Most of the work happens before surgery: measuring the thickness and shape of the cornea to confirm it can be treated safely. People who are not good candidates are told so, and often have a better option in a different procedure.
In 24 seconds
Illustrative schematic, no sound. Only the surgeon decides candidacy, after a full in-clinic evaluation.
Corneal topography, thickness, pupil size and a dilated exam. The surgery is confirmed only if these agree with what the video evaluation suggested.
No injections and no general anaesthetic. A small holder keeps the eyelids open so you do not have to worry about blinking.
A thin flap is created in the cornea and folded back, the laser reshapes the tissue beneath for less than a minute, and the flap is laid back in place. It holds without stitches.
Dr. Serrano examines the eye himself the following day. Clearance to fly is given in writing at that visit, never before it.
Burning, tearing and light sensitivity are normal. The best thing you can do is go back to the hotel and sleep with the eye shields on.
In-person check. Most people already see well enough for ordinary activities, though vision still fluctuates.
Drops on schedule. No eye rubbing, swimming, hot tubs or eye make-up. Shields at night.
Vision and any dryness settle. Check-ups with your own optometrist at home, with Dr. Serrano available by video.
Every eye is different. Dr. Serrano goes through the risks that apply to yours at the evaluation, before you decide anything.
A summary to orient you. The evaluation decides, not the table.
| Feature | Lens exchange | LASIK | SMILE | Cataract surgery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treats | Presbyopia and high prescriptions | Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism | Myopia, astigmatism | A clouded natural lens |
| Works on | The lens, replaced | Cornea, under a flap | Cornea, no flap | The lens, replaced |
| Typical age | About 45 and over | 18 to mid-40s | 18 to mid-40s | Usually 60 and over |
| Helps with reading vision | Depends on the lens chosen | No | No | Depends on the lens chosen |
| Cataract later in that eye | No | Still possible | Still possible | No |
| Typical stay in Cabo | Set by your plan | 3 to 4 nights | 3 to 4 nights | Set by your plan |
How it's done
What each technique does, who it's for and what to expect. Anything that doesn't fit here gets answered at your evaluation.
A thin flap is created on the cornea's surface, the laser reshapes the tissue beneath it to correct the prescription, and the flap is laid back in place. Treats myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism within certain ranges.
Frequently asked questions
Your prescription gives a first idea, but the decision depends on corneal thickness and shape, a stable prescription and your eye health. That's why we ask for a recent exam and Dr. Serrano reviews it by video before you travel.
Anaesthetic drops are used. Pressure during the procedure and a gritty, stinging feeling for the first hours are normal.
Usually three or four nights: arrive, surgery, next-day check, and fly home with Dr. Serrano's clearance.
Safety depends on the surgeon, the screening and the follow-up, not on the country. What to check anywhere: that the surgeon's licence numbers can be verified, that the surgeon who evaluates you is the one who operates, that topography and corneal thickness are measured before anything is confirmed, and that there is an in-person check the next day plus a written plan for home. Dr. Serrano's licences are published on this site.
After the next-day check and written clearance. Cabin pressure is not the concern; dry cabin air is, so you travel with lubricating drops and use them often. Trips are planned as three to four nights for that reason.
Age alone does not rule it out if the eye is healthy. But from the mid-forties the natural lens stops focusing up close, which LASIK does not fix, and later it clouds into a cataract. That is why lens exchange is often the better discussion after about 45.
The change to the cornea is permanent. The rest of the eye keeps ageing: presbyopia in the forties, cataract later. A small number of people regress slightly and may be offered an enhancement.
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