Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have gathered here the most frequently asked questions so that you can find a quick answer. If you have any concerns that are not here, you can write to WhatsApp 301 5308977 or email atencion.usuario@clinicasandiego.com.co.

What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an Optometrist?
The Optometrist is in charge of providing primary care in visual health and differs from the ophthalmologist in that he is not a doctor, but a graduate in Optics and Optometry. Its main function is to prevent, detect and solve visual problems. This is in charge of detecting refractive ocular alterations that can be corrected by optical systems (glasses and contact lenses), applies visual therapy, proposes visual education, contactology and visual hygiene techniques.


An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists in their training levels and in what they can diagnose and treat. So when should we go to the ophthalmologist?

In the event of any discomfort, pain, loss of vision or indication of eye disease, you should go to the ophthalmologist, since he is the professional who can address any type of problem that has to do with vision, the eye or the external area of the eye. If you also suffer from a pathology such as a cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment or ocular degeneration, an ophthalmology specialist should be the one to assess you. Likewise, if you want to perform a periodic review of the visual system or if you want to perform some type of correction surgery, it will be necessary for an ophthalmologist to do an examination and establish the most appropriate treatment in your case. And... When should we go to the Optometrist?


You have to go to the optometrist when you want to graduate your vision and adapt lenses or glasses, if you must perform vision therapy and eye exercises or if you have a low vision problem. It is also possible that an Ophthalmologist will refer you to an Optometrist if he considers that the most appropriate treatment to stop or treat the disorder in question requires optical and optometric treatment.

Where can I find the list of doctors who attend the Clinic?
At the top of our page, you will find a button called “Specialists”. There are all the doctors we have in our Clinic. If you prefer, you can also click here (link).


What are the Clinic's opening hours?

The Clinic provides services from Monday to Friday between 7 AM and 6:30 PM and on Saturdays from 7 AM to 1:00 PM.

We have extended hours for priority consultation attention and it works like this:

Monday through Friday from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM and Sundays and holidays from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.


What are the office hours of the Optics?
The optician provides service from Monday to Friday between 7:30 AM and 7 PM and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM

If I have an emergency on a Sunday or at another time when the Clinic is closed, can you attend me?

For these cases we have our Priority Consultation service in Extended Hours. Here we are from Monday to Friday between 6:30 AM and 9:00 PM. On Saturdays from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM and on Sundays and holidays from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM


Where they are located?
Our location is privileged. We are on the entire avenue of El Poblado, in front of the Premium Plaza Shopping Center and 2 blocks from the San Diego Shopping Center. Our address is Carrera 43 N° 29 - 35. You can also get there if you put “Clinica de Oftalmologia San Diego” in Waze

 

Do you only serve individuals or also through the EPS?
We serve people from the EPS as long as they have been referred to our institution directly by their EPS. This process is coordinated by the EPS, which is in charge of telling the user which Clinic to consult.

Can anyone be operated to stop wearing glasses?
The ideal is to do the surgery from the age of 21, which is when growth normally stops. A prior review should always be made by the ophthalmologist who will determine the viability of the surgery, this with the analysis of some diagnostic tests, since there are cases in which other alternatives should be analyzed. In our Clinic we have a free assessment so that you can clear up your doubts and clarify if you can have refractive surgery. Make your appointment on our WhatsApp 301 5308977.


Does refractive surgery give a very long disability?
No. This is an outpatient surgery, the intervention lasts approximately half an hour and practically the next day you can continue with your normal life. There are some care that must be taken during the first days after surgery and that the treating specialist will let you know.


How much does refractive surgery cost?
The price depends on several factors, the type of procedure you choose (LASIK or PKR) and depending on whether you are going to operate on one or both eyes. For more precise information, we invite you to write to WhatsApp 301 5308977 where we will clear all your doubts.


What contraindications exist for refractive surgery?
Inflammatory diseases of the eyeball, such as: glaucoma, cataracts, retinal diseases, uveitis or severe changes in tear secretion. Also, those who present: collagen diseases. Immunosuppression. Diabetes. Pregnancy and lactation. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or autoimmune diseases. A very high refractive error. A very large pupil. Herpes, scars or corneal infections. Keratoconus or a very thin cornea.


Is refractive surgery performed under general anesthesia?
The usual thing is to use anesthetic eye drops, applied to the eye. In rare cases, general anesthesia is used.


Is it true that pregnant women cannot have refractive surgery?
Yes it's correct. Laser surgery is not recommended for women who are pregnant, think they are pregnant or are lactating, because there are changes in metabolism, which affect the refraction of the eye.


Is the surgery to stop wearing glasses performed with a scalpel?
No. The corneal cut is performed with a high-precision mechanism known as a microkeratome. The cornea is then shaped with the ultraviolet light emitted by the excimer laser. This is a cold laser that emits ultraviolet light, applied in a precise and programmed way on the cornea, to change its original shape and achieve the correct focus of the images, through its shaping, in order to obtain the proper curvature. The Excimer laser does not cut or burn the cornea, what it does is vaporize a thin layer of the cornea. This laser is formed by a mixture of Fluorine and Argon