For years, Benjamín dreamed of a life without glasses or contact lenses. Originally from Argentina and now living in Poland, he decided to travel to Lithuania for laser eye surgery at LIREMA Eye Clinic. What began as a search for an affordable treatment turned into an experience that, in his own words, helped him fulfil a dream he had carried since his teenage years.
A long-standing wish to live without glasses
Benjamín first noticed his eyesight deteriorating when he was around 14 or 15 years old. Initially, his myopia was mild, at approximately −0.25 to −0.50 dioptres, but within a couple of years, it had progressed to around −2.00 and −2.25 dioptres.
Like many people with myopia, he became accustomed to wearing glasses, although he never particularly enjoyed them. About a year and a half before his surgery, he switched to monthly contact lenses, hoping they would offer greater freedom in everyday life.
However, contact lenses eventually became another inconvenience.
Having wanted laser eye surgery for years, Benjamín finally decided to explore his options. The question was no longer whether he wanted to correct his vision, but where he should have the procedure.
Why travel to Lithuania for laser eye surgery?
The idea of travelling abroad for treatment came from a former colleague who had undergone laser eye surgery in Latvia. She described her positive experience and mentioned that the procedure had cost approximately €900–1,000, considerably less than the prices Benjamín had heard about in Argentina and Spain.
Intrigued by the possibility, he began researching clinics across the Baltic countries, comparing treatment options, prices and patient experiences.
Although he initially contacted a clinic in Latvia, he felt uncomfortable when asked to transfer money in advance to secure his appointment. He decided to continue looking.
His search eventually led him to LIREMA Eye Clinic in Lithuania.
What caught his attention was not simply the price, but the information available on the clinic’s website, its patient reviews on Trustpilot, the possibility of communicating in English and the opportunity to receive an initial assessment without charge.
These details helped him feel more confident about travelling to another country for a medical procedure.
Choosing a procedure that would fit his lifestyle
After exploring the available laser vision correction methods, Benjamín became particularly interested in FEMTO laser eye surgery.
For him, recovery time was an important consideration. As he was employed in Poland, he needed to return to work relatively quickly and could not afford a lengthy recovery period.
He therefore preferred FEMTO over a surface laser procedure, having read that visual recovery could be faster.
Before making his final decision, he completed the online form and contacted LIREMA directly by email, explaining his situation: he was an Argentine citizen with an Italian passport, living and working in Poland, and was considering travelling to Lithuania for surgery.
According to Benjamín, the clinic responded the following day, providing detailed information about the examinations, surgery and follow-up appointment.
Once his leave from work was approved and the appointments were arranged, he booked his flights and accommodation in Vilnius.
Three days, from examination to follow-up
Benjamín planned a five-day stay in Lithuania, allowing enough time for the medical appointments and an opportunity to explore Vilnius. His partner, Domi, accompanied him on the trip.
The schedule was straightforward: a comprehensive eye examination on Monday, surgery on Tuesday if he was found suitable, and a postoperative check-up on Wednesday.
During Monday’s examination, the specialists assessed his eyes to determine whether laser vision correction would be appropriate.
Benjamín particularly appreciated the time the medical team dedicated to answering his questions.
He wanted to know when he could return to the gym, attend stretching classes, use a sauna or go swimming. The specialists explained the recovery precautions and what to expect after the procedure.
Following the examinations, he was informed that his eyes were suitable for the planned surgery.
The next day, he returned to the clinic.
“The whole procedure took about 10 minutes”
Despite having researched the procedure extensively, Benjamín admits that he was nervous the night before surgery.
Even though the examinations had gone well, the uncertainty of experiencing eye surgery for the first time made it difficult for him to sleep.
However, his concerns eased once he arrived at the clinic.
He recalls the medical team being patient, reassuring and thorough in explaining each step.
According to Benjamín, the procedure itself took approximately 10 minutes and was painless.
The first hours afterwards were less comfortable. Once the anaesthetic eye drops wore off, he experienced a gritty sensation, as though there were sand in his eyes, along with increased tearing and difficulty keeping his eyes open.
The clinic had explained these possible postoperative symptoms in advance and provided medication and instructions for recovery.
After returning to the hotel, he rested his eyes and followed the prescribed eye-drop schedule.
The gritty sensation gradually disappeared over approximately two days.
Seeing the difference within days
The following day, Benjamín returned to LIREMA for his scheduled postoperative examination.
According to his account, the specialists confirmed that his recovery was progressing well.
With his vision already significantly improved, he was able to spend some time exploring Vilnius with Domi before returning to Poland.
By the third week after surgery, he was delighted with the improvement in his everyday vision.
He also openly acknowledged that his eyesight was still stabilising. At the time of recording his video, he occasionally noticed halos around lights at night, although he understood that visual recovery could take additional time.
Rather than presenting his experience as an overnight transformation without any discomfort, Benjamín described both the temporary challenges of recovery and the considerable improvement he had already experienced.
For him, the result was worth the journey.
More than a medical trip: a dream fulfilled
Looking back, Benjamín says that undergoing laser eye surgery was something he had wanted ever since his myopia developed during adolescence.
After years of wearing glasses and contact lenses, the opportunity to see more clearly without depending on them in everyday life represented a meaningful personal change.
He also remembers the professionalism and kindness of the LIREMA team, the clear communication in English and the convenience of having the examinations, surgery and follow-up organised within a short visit.
His experience illustrates why patients living abroad may consider Lithuania for laser vision correction: the combination of accessible treatment options, international patient communication and the possibility of arranging medical appointments around a short trip.
For Benjamín, travelling from Poland to Vilnius was not simply about finding a more affordable procedure. It was about finally making a decision he had postponed for years.
Today, he is happy to share his experience with others who may be considering the same step.
Considering laser eye surgery?
If you are tired of relying on glasses or contact lenses, the first step is to find out whether laser vision correction is suitable for your eyes.
At LIREMA Eye Clinic, specialists assess each patient’s vision, eye health and individual needs before recommending an appropriate treatment method.