Laser refractive surgery: LASIK and PRK

Dr. Emmanuel Bolaños Betancourt: ophthalmic surgeon with subspecialty training in cornea, refractive surgery, and cataract microsurgery. He sees patients at Hospital Aranda de la Parra Puerto Interior (20 minutes from León) and at Oftalmo-Visión Clínica Oftalmológica in downtown Silao. Board certified by the Consejo Mexicano de Oftalmología since 2013, member 3045. Over 15 years in clinical practice. 292 combined Google reviews with a 4.9 average.

Correct your vision and leave your glasses behind, with precision and safety

LASIK and PRK laser eye surgery. The evaluation is at my offices in Silao, and I perform LASIK and PRK at Hospital Aranda de la Parra in León (downtown branch, M. Hidalgo 329), with the TENEO laser. I see patients from all over Mexico, Latin America, the United States, and Canada.

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What is laser refractive surgery?

Refractive surgery is a procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct vision problems such as:

Nearsightedness (myopia): trouble seeing things far away
Farsightedness (hyperopia): trouble seeing things up close
Astigmatism: blurred or distorted vision at every distance

The two most common methods are:

LASIK:

A laser technique with fast recovery and minimal discomfort

PRK:

An alternative that does not cut into the cornea, ideal for thin corneas

Both are safe, highly effective options for reducing or eliminating your need for glasses or contact lenses.

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Am I a candidate for laser eye surgery?

Not everyone is a candidate. That is why a detailed evaluation has to come first.

I can consider surgery if:

• You are over 18
• Your prescription has been stable for at least a year
• You have no active eye disease
• Your cornea has adequate thickness and curvature
• You are not pregnant or breastfeeding

During your consultation, I run complete studies to determine whether you are a good candidate and which technique fits you: LASIK or PRK.

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What is the difference between LASIK and PRK?

LASIK

(Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis)

• A thin flap is created in the cornea
• Faster visual recovery
• Little discomfort afterward
• A good fit for most patients

PRK

(Photorefractive keratectomy)

• No corneal cut is made
• An option for thin or irregular corneas
• Slower recovery, with similar visual results
• Needs more care during recovery

Both techniques use current-generation laser platforms, and I choose the safer one based on your eye anatomy.

The laser I use: TENEO

For LASIK I use the TENEO excimer laser by Bausch + Lomb, which has just arrived at Hospital Aranda de la Parra in León (downtown branch, M. Hidalgo 329). That’s where I perform LASIK, and PRK too. The U.S. FDA approved it in January 2024 for LASIK in myopia and myopic astigmatism, the first excimer platform it approved in nearly two decades. Its eye tracker follows your eye 1,740 times per second while the laser works, so a small movement doesn’t throw the treatment off (Bausch + Lomb, January 8, 2024, accessed October 6, 2026).

What LASIK costs

LASIK costs MXN 25,000 for both eyes (price as of October 2026). Before scheduling it, I do an evaluation, because that’s where I confirm whether your cornea is right for LASIK or whether another technique suits you better. If PRK or another option is the right call, I’ll give you that cost with your test results.

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How is refractive surgery performed?

It is an outpatient procedure, quick and painless. It takes 15 to 20 minutes in total.

1. Anesthetic drops are applied
2. No needles, no hospital stay
3. The laser reshapes the cornea with millimeter precision
4. You walk out the same day

With LASIK, visual recovery is usually fast, within 24 to 48 hours. With PRK, it can take a few more days.

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What results can I expect after laser eye surgery?

Most patients achieve:

Clear vision without glasses

A significant or complete drop in their prescription

Freedom to drive, read, use a screen, or play sports without correction

Every eye is different. Before your procedure, I explain what results you can realistically expect in your case.

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What care do I need after surgery?

After refractive surgery, I give you clear instructions to make sure you recover well:

• Use eye drops as prescribed
• Avoid rubbing your eyes
• No swimming or direct sun exposure for a few days
• Follow-up visits at 24 hours, 1 week, and 1 month

I handle every follow-up visit myself, with no one standing in between.

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Do I see patients from other cities or abroad?

Yes. I evaluate you at my office in Hospital Aranda de la Parra Puerto Interior, 20 minutes from León and minutes from Bajío International Airport (BJX), and I perform LASIK and PRK at Hospital Aranda de la Parra in León. That makes it easy for patients coming from León, Silao, Irapuato, Guanajuato City, San Miguel de Allende, the rest of Mexico, and the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

I am fluent in English, and being minutes from BJX airport simplifies the logistics if you are traveling for this treatment.

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Schedule your personal evaluation

Want to know if you can leave your glasses behind with laser surgery? Schedule an evaluation with me. I will tell you honestly whether you are a candidate and what you can expect.

Last updated: May 30, 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Emmanuel Bolaños, ophthalmic surgeon (Mexican Board of Ophthalmology, member 3045).