Oculoplasty in Medellín
Surgery for droopy eyelids, constant tearing and lashes that scratch the eye, so you can see and feel better
Oculoplasty is the branch of ophthalmology that operates on the eyelids, the tear ducts and the orbit. It corrects eyelid ptosis, eyelids that turn outward or inward, blocked tear ducts and eyelid reconstruction. MDE Care is not a clinic: we arrange your consultation with the oculoplastic ophthalmologist, your tests and your surgery in Medellín.
Function first
oculoplastic surgeons are ophthalmologists
What's going on with your eyelid or tear duct?
Pick what best matches your case and answer the questions that appear. We show you what usually applies, what is checked at the consultation and how much the next step costs.
1What is happening?
2Since when?
3How old is the patient?
4Do you see double, or did the eyelid drop suddenly?
This answer changes the order of the steps.
5Are you coming from another city or country?
You may be a candidate for ptosis surgery
A droopy eyelid is usually caused by weakness of the muscle that lifts it, and it becomes common with age. If it limits your vision, the surgery is functional.
What usually applies
- Consultation with the oculoplastic surgeon
- Levator muscle surgery: the muscle is shortened or reattached
- In selected cases, the eyelid is suspended from the forehead muscle
What is checked at the consultation
- How much the eyelid droops
- Strength of the muscle that lifts it
- Visual field: how much the eyelid blocks
Ptosis repair, estimated price per eye
COP 5,000,000to COP 8,100,000
Plus the consultation: COP 250,000 to COP 300,000.
* Estimated prices, confirmed at the consultation. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.
How much oculoplastic surgery costs in Medellín
Choose the procedure and whether it is one eye or both. We show you the estimated total with the consultation included, in Colombian pesos or US dollars.
First, the consultation
Everything starts with a consultation with the oculoplastic ophthalmologist: they measure how much the eyelid droops, where tears are getting stuck or what the lesion is, and decide whether surgery is needed and which technique to use. That is why the final price is confirmed there.
What is included
- Consultation with the oculoplastic ophthalmologist
- Treatment plan and confirmed price
- Surgery on the muscle that lifts the eyelid
- Local anesthesia in most cases, outpatient surgery
- Follow-up visits, some remote when the specialist considers it safe
What changes the price
- What the consultation shows and the technique chosen
- Whether one eye or both are treated
- The assigned clinic and specialist
1. Consultation with the oculoplastic surgeon
2. Procedure
3. One eye or both?
If your eyelid dropped suddenly or you see double, do not get a quote: go to the emergency room today. A neurological cause must be ruled out first.
Estimated total
COP 5,250,000to COP 8,400,000
Consultation with the oculoplastic surgeon · Ptosis repair, one eye
Breakdown
- Consultation with the oculoplastic surgeonCOP 250,000 to COP 300,000
- Ptosis repair, one eyeCOP 5,000,000 to COP 8,100,000
* Estimated prices, confirmed at the consultation. This is a guide, not a diagnosis.
What oculoplasty is
Oculoplasty is the subspecialty of ophthalmology that operates on the eyelids, the tear ducts and the orbit, that is, the bones and tissues around the eye. The oculoplastic surgeon repairs damage or problems in those structures and in the system that drains tears.
Function before looks. A droopy eyelid can block part of your vision, an eyelid that turns inward makes the lashes rub and injure the cornea, and a blocked tear duct causes constant tearing and infections. Correcting them restores the eye’s function.
The difference from a general plastic surgeon is that the oculoplastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist: they protect the eye’s function while operating on the eyelid. If you are looking for a cosmetic change, such as removing excess skin or bags, the right path is blepharoplasty in Medellín.
Problems oculoplasty corrects
Almost all of them start as an everyday nuisance: seeing less, tearing up or feeling that something scratches the eye.
Droopy eyelid (ptosis)
The upper eyelid sags because the muscle that lifts it is weak. It can be present from birth, come with age or have neurological causes, and it can block your vision.
Ectropion
The eyelid turns outward and causes dry eye, tearing and chronic conjunctivitis. It is almost always related to age.
Entropion
The eyelid turns inward and the lashes scratch the cornea. It is also usually related to age.
Trichiasis
Eyelashes that grow toward the eye and scratch it. Plucking them makes them grow back; electrolysis, laser or cryotherapy aim for a permanent solution.
Blocked tear duct
A blockage in the duct that carries tears to the nose. The main symptom is tears running down the cheek, sometimes with repeated infections.
Orbit
Bulging eyes from thyroid disease, fractures and tumors of the orbit. In thyroid eye disease, orbital decompression may be recommended.
Eyelid tumors and reconstruction
Eyelid lesions that do not heal are biopsied. If it turns out to be a tumor, treatment is planned with ocular oncology and, once it is removed, the oculoplastic surgeon rebuilds the eyelid. If what you have is a lump that appeared within a few days, it is most likely a chalazion: see our guide to chalazion in Medellín.
Warning signs: when to book a visit and when to go to the ER
Go to the emergency room today if your eyelid dropped suddenly or you see double
A sudden eyelid droop, especially with double vision, can be a sign of a nerve or brain problem. A neurological cause must be ruled out first, with neuro-ophthalmology if needed. Eyelid surgery is considered afterward.
What oculoplastic surgery involves
Each problem has its own technique. What they all share is protecting the eye’s function.
Levator muscle surgery
The muscle that lifts the eyelid is shortened or reattached. In selected cases, the eyelid is suspended from the forehead muscle.
Repositioning the eyelid
The tissues that support the eyelid are tightened so it returns to its place. It works well in most cases.
Probing or dacryocystorhinostomy
In children, the duct is probed. In adults, a dacryocystorhinostomy creates a new path for tears to drain into the nose.
Electrolysis, laser or cryotherapy
They destroy the root of the lashes that grow toward the eye. If entropion is the cause, the eyelid is corrected as well.
Recovery from eyelid and tear duct surgery
Temporary swelling and bruising
They are expected and are managed with rest and cold compresses.
About two weeks
That is the estimated recovery in most cases. It varies with the procedure; your specialist will give you your timeline.
Remote follow-up
Later follow-up visits can be done remotely when the specialist considers it safe, so you do not stay in Medellín longer than needed.
With surgery: what changes and what does not
What changes
The eyelid stops blocking your vision, the lashes stop scratching the cornea and tears drain into the nose again. The goal is the eye’s function.
What can happen
With ptosis, a second procedure is sometimes needed because the eyelid droops again or the correction fell short.
It is not the same as cosmetic surgery
The goal is for the eye to work well. If you want a cosmetic change, that is a different path and is evaluated separately.
First, the cause
Tearing can come from the duct or from the eyelid, and scratching lashes can come from entropion. The consultation decides what gets operated on.
Oculoplasty at a glance
| Consultation with the oculoplastic surgeon | COP 250,000 to COP 300,000, estimate |
|---|---|
| Type of surgery | Almost always outpatient |
| Anesthesia | Local in most cases; in children it is adjusted to their age |
| Swelling and bruising | Temporary; managed with rest and cold compresses |
| Recovery | About two weeks in most cases, estimate; varies with the procedure |
| Before surgery | Tell us if you take blood thinners or aspirin |
| Follow-up | Can be done remotely when the specialist considers it safe |
Why arrange your oculoplasty with MDE Care
We are not a clinic: we are your coordination team. We connect you with oculoplastic ophthalmologists and accredited clinics in Medellín.
The right specialist
We take you to an oculoplastic ophthalmologist, who operates on the eyelid while protecting the eye’s function.
A clear price for each step
You know from the start how much the consultation and your procedure cost.
Coordination from start to finish
Consultation, tests, surgery, follow-up and, if you travel, the logistics of your stay in Medellín.
Organizations that support our work
How we coordinate your oculoplastic surgery
A guided process from your first message to your follow-up visits.
Tell us about your case
Message us on WhatsApp with photos or your self-check result.
Consultation
The oculoplastic surgeon examines the eyelid, the tear duct or the lesion.
Plan and price
They choose the technique and confirm the price of your surgery.
Surgery
Almost always outpatient and under local anesthesia.
Follow-up
In person and remote when the specialist considers it safe.
Common questions about oculoplasty
What is the difference between oculoplastic surgery and blepharoplasty?
Is droopy eyelid surgery cosmetic or functional?
Can ptosis surgery be repeated?
Why do my eyes water all the time?
Do ingrown eyelashes grow back?
How much does droopy eyelid surgery cost in Medellín?
How long is recovery?
Does a chalazion need surgery?
Is your eyelid already blocking your vision?
Send us a photo and we will help you book a consultation with the oculoplastic surgeon.
Other ophthalmology procedures
Ready to take care of your eyelid or tear duct?
Write to us with your case or your self-check result. We arrange your consultation with the oculoplastic surgeon, tests, surgery and follow-up in Medellín, with a clear price from the first message.