Ophthalmic surgeon · Silao, near León, Mexico
Operating on an eye is a right you earn first.
I am Dr. Emmanuel Bolaños, an ophthalmic surgeon with advanced training in cornea, refractive surgery and cataract microsurgery. I operate in Silao, twenty minutes from León, and a good part of my job is deciding who should not be operated on yet.
The same doctor sees you and operates Dr. Emmanuel Bolaños · Mexican Board of Ophthalmology, member 3045 
What you can verify yourself
Why the subspecialty changes the outcome
A general ophthalmologist checks your vision, prescribes glasses and handles the common problems, and does it well. The cornea is a different matter. Early keratoconus looks like an astigmatism that never quite corrects, and whoever is not looking for it on a topography will not find it until it has progressed.
My advanced training is in exactly that: cornea and refractive surgery. It is why I perform crosslinking, intrastromal rings and corneal transplants, procedures that not every practice in the region offers.
It is also why I sometimes tell someone not to have surgery yet. A thin cornea will not tolerate LASIK, however much the patient wants it and however encouraging a quick screening looks.
What I specialise in
Each treatment has its own page, with the procedure, the real recovery time and when it does not apply.
Cataract surgery
Microincision with intraocular lens implant, outpatient, in a certified operating room.
See treatment →
Intraocular lenses
Monofocal, toric, multifocal and trifocal. Which one suits you depends on how you use your eyes.
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LASIK and PRK
Laser refractive surgery for myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, when the cornea allows it.
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Keratoconus
Accelerated crosslinking, intrastromal rings and corneal transplant, depending on the stage.
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Diabetic retinopathy
Laser photocoagulation and anti-VEGF, with the follow-up diabetes demands.
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Complete eye evaluation
Acuity, pressure, fundus, cornea and retina. The starting point for everything else.
See treatment →Latest articles
Answers to what I get asked most in my office, with the official source at the end. See all articles
How much does cataract surgery cost near León, Mexico? What drives the price
My prices: MXN 900 for the evaluation and cataract surgery with a Carl Zeiss lens from MXN 22,000 per eye in Silao. Plus what moves the final price, piece by piece.
Read article → Can keratoconus make you blind? What can happen, and how to stop it
What keratoconus is, how people with it see, whether it can make you blind, and what stops it. Explained by a cornea specialist in Silao, 20 minutes from León.
Read article →
Your first visit: what happens, what to bring, and the answer you leave with
What happens at your first visit with me, which tests I run, what to do about contact lenses or dilation drops, and the answer you leave with. Silao, 20 minutes from León.
Read article →What my patients say
292 Google reviews across my two offices, averaging 4.9. Here are a few, translated from Spanish.
He performed my surgery to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. From the first evaluation he explained the procedure with great clarity and patience, which gave me complete confidence. The surgery was quick and painless, and the follow-up has been impeccable. Today I enjoy excellent vision!
With cataract surgery on both eyes, the surgeries, the treatment and the recovery have all been excellent. The service and care at the clinic have also been very professional, personal and trustworthy.
He performed pterygium surgery with a conjunctival autograft, and I am very grateful for his professionalism, clarity and follow-up throughout my recovery. He always kept an eye on my progress and answered my questions kindly.
Excellent service, a very quick surgery. I had cataract surgery, I am still recovering but making excellent progress. The care is very good.
He operated on my daughter for exotropia, and from the first moment he gave us excellent care, explaining everything clearly and answering our questions. We are very satisfied with his care, professionalism and dedication.
The doctor is a very professional specialist, attentive and committed to his patients. He is always ready to answer any question and supports you throughout the whole process, from surgery to recovery.
See reviews for Hospital Aranda de la Parra · Puerto Interior (5.0 · 113) → · See reviews for Oftalmo-Visión Clínica Oftalmológica (4.8 · 179) →
How to tell a real consultation from a sales pitch
- If nobody ran a full pre-operative workup, you do not yet know whether you are a candidate.
- If they talk about the laser and not about the judgement to use it, they are selling you the equipment.
- If nobody explained the risks or the limits, the conversation stopped halfway.
- If they promise you an exact prescription afterwards, they are promising something no eye guarantees.
- If the surgery is not in a certified operating room, the saving is being charged to your safety.
If a consultation does not make you think, ask questions and understand your own eye, it is not the right consultation.
Two offices, eight kilometres apart
Hospital Aranda de la Parra in Puerto Interior is where the operating rooms and the high-precision diagnostics are. Oftalmo-Visión, in downtown Silao, is where I see general consultations, check-ups and follow-up. If you are not sure which one is yours, message me and I will tell you before you make the trip.