Fellowship-trained surgeon
Two years of subspecialty training in retina and vitreous at one of the world's highest-volume eye centres, plus experience in leading Madrid hospitals.
About the doctor →
International patients
Eye surgery in Spain, explained in English from the first message.
Cataract, retina, refractive and eyelid surgery in Santander, on Spain's green northern coast, with a fellowship-trained surgeon who speaks your language. We start online, you get a clear plan and a written quote, and you travel only when everything is decided.
EN · FR · ESthe whole process in your language
2 yearsretina fellowship in Mexico City
5.0 ★patient rating on Google
Dr Idaira Sánchez SantosCataract · Retina · Refractive
Why Santander
Specialist care, without the waiting list.
Many patients come to us because they face long waits at home, want a premium lens that is not offered locally, or simply want to be treated by a specialist they can talk to directly.
Private hospital in the city centre
Consultations and surgery at Hospital Santa Clotilde, a private hospital in central Santander with its own operating theatres.
A written quote before you travel
You know the plan, the dates and the price in euros before booking a flight. No surprises once you arrive.
Prices →English and French spoken
Consultation, consent forms explained, and follow-up — all in English or French, directly with the surgeon.
Follow-up from home
After you return, check-ups can be done with your local optometrist or ophthalmologist, and I stay available online for any questions.
A pleasant place to recover
Santander is a calm, safe seaside city with excellent food — a comfortable place to spend a few days of recovery, alone or with a companion.
Step by step
How it works
- 1 · Online consultationSend your reports and scans and talk to the doctor by video call. You get an honest opinion on whether surgery is right for you.
- 2 · Written plan and quoteTechnique, lens options, dates and total price in euros, in writing.
- 3 · Arrival and pre-operative assessmentFull examination and biometry in Santander to confirm the plan.
- 4 · SurgeryUsually day surgery under local anaesthesia — you return to your hotel the same day.
- 5 · Check-ups before you leaveWe check the result and give you a written report for your doctor at home.
- 6 · Follow-up from homeLater check-ups locally, with online contact whenever you need it.
Where our patients come from
Close to the UK, next door to France.
Santander has its own airport and direct ferry connections with southern England, and Bilbao international airport is about an hour away by road.
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UK and Ireland
Short flights to northern Spain and direct ferries between England and Santander — handy if you prefer to travel with your car.
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Canada and the USA
Connections via Madrid or other European hubs. The online consultation lets you plan everything before the long trip.
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Rest of Europe
Easy connections across Europe. If you are in France, Belgium or Switzerland, see our page in French.
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Living in Spain
English-speaking residents across Spain who want a specialist they can talk to in their own language.
Practical information
Planning your stay
We send you practical tips with your plan. These are the questions patients ask most often.
How long should I stay?
It depends on the procedure and on whether one or both eyes are treated. Your exact plan — assessment, surgery and check-ups — is confirmed in writing before you book.
Can someone come with me?
Yes, and it is recommended: after eye surgery you cannot drive for a while, and it is nice to have company during recovery.
Which documents should I bring?
Your passport or ID, recent reports and scans, your glasses prescription and a list of the medicines you take.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Will my health insurance cover treatment in Spain?
It depends on your policy. Many international or private policies reimburse treatment abroad. We provide detailed invoices and medical reports that you can submit to your insurer; check your cover before travelling.
Is it safe to fly after eye surgery?
After most cataract and refractive operations, flying is fine once the post-operative check-up has been done. After some retinal surgery with a gas bubble you must not fly for several weeks — this is always explained beforehand and taken into account in your plan.
How do I pay?
The online consultation is paid by bank transfer (€150). For treatment, you receive a written quote with the payment terms before you travel.
What if I have a problem once I am back home?
You keep direct contact with the doctor by email or WhatsApp, and we give you a detailed report so your local ophthalmologist can take over if needed.
First step
Tell us about your eyes.
An online consultation (€150, about 30 minutes) is the best way to know whether treatment in Santander makes sense for you.