Laser vision correction in Turkey: what it covers
Laser vision correction in Turkey reshapes the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, so that light focuses on the retina without glasses or contact lenses. It is used for short sight, long sight and astigmatism. The treatments on our site are LASIK and Femto-LASIK, SMILE, LASEK, wavefront PRK, SmartSight and Intralase surgery. Our general page on laser eye surgery explains the basics, and this page compares the techniques side by side.
They differ in how the cornea is reached. In LASIK a thin flap is lifted and the laser works underneath; in Femto-LASIK and Intralase surgery that flap is cut by a femtosecond laser instead of a blade. In LASEK and wavefront PRK the surface layer is treated and no flap is made, and wavefront PRK uses a map of your eye to guide the laser. SMILE removes a small disc of tissue through a tiny cut. SmartSight is a name used for a small-incision procedure, so ask the clinic which technique is behind it.
Laser Vision Correction in Turkey
Who the treatments are for and how to choose
Laser correction is meant for adults whose prescription has been stable for at least a year and whose eyes are healthy. It is not suitable for everyone. A thin or irregular cornea, dry eye, some eye diseases, pregnancy and certain medical conditions can rule it out or point towards a different technique, which is why a full examination comes first.
The choice between techniques depends on the thickness and shape of your cornea, your prescription, your work and sport, and how much recovery time you can allow. Surface treatments such as LASEK and PRK avoid a flap and are often considered for thinner corneas or for people at risk of eye knocks, but healing is slower. Flap-based and SMILE treatments usually bring faster visual recovery. A surgeon should explain why one fits you and what its limits are. If your prescription is high or your cornea is thin, an implanted lens may be a better option than laser, and a responsible clinic will say so.
What the trip and recovery look like
The trip is short. A typical plan has a day for examinations and corneal scans, the laser treatment, which takes minutes per eye under eye drops, and a check the next day. Many patients stay three to five days in total, and a longer stay is sensible after surface treatments, where the first days are more uncomfortable.
Vision is often hazy at first and settles over days or weeks, depending on the technique. You will use eye drops, avoid rubbing your eyes, and avoid swimming, dust and eye make-up for a period your surgeon will specify. Dry eye and glare at night are common early effects and usually ease with time. Ask the clinic for your treatment record, scans and drop schedule, and arrange a check with an eye specialist at home.
What affects the price
The price of laser vision correction depends on the technique, the laser platform, whether treatment is for one or both eyes, the strength of your prescription, the pre-operative tests, the surgeon and the follow-up included. Techniques that use a femtosecond laser or a personalised eye map usually cost more than a basic treatment, and an enhancement or extra visit may be charged separately.
Compare plans on what is included, such as the examination, the technique, the medicines and the check-ups, not only on the total.
How to check a hospital and surgeon
Ask for the following in writing before you accept a plan:
- the name and qualifications of the ophthalmologist who will perform the treatment;
- the exact technique and the type of laser used, not only a brand name;
- which scans and tests are done before surgery, including corneal thickness and shape;
- what happens if you are not a suitable candidate after examination;
- the follow-up schedule and who to contact after you return home.
The hospitals we work with are licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health and authorised for international patients. A good clinic will accept that some people are better served by a different treatment, and will tell you so before you travel.
How an enquiry with us works
Asking for a plan is free. You send your current prescription, any recent eye test and your questions through the free quote form. An eye team at a licensed hospital reviews them and, if the case looks suitable, returns a written plan with the proposed technique, the surgeon, the expected stay and the full cost. The final decision is made at the hospital after the full examination.
You then decide at your own pace. Nothing is paid to us, and you pay the hospital directly under the terms of its written plan. A coordinator helps with appointments, transfers and questions before, during and after your stay. You can also look at the wider range of Eye Surgery treatments in Turkey if laser may not be the right option.
Hospitals with Eye Surgery in Turkey
Conditions
Other Eye Surgery categories
Frequently asked questions
LASIK lifts a thin corneal flap and reshapes the tissue underneath. SMILE removes a small disc of tissue through a tiny cut without a flap. Which suits you depends on your cornea, prescription and lifestyle.
Both use a femtosecond laser instead of a blade to cut the corneal flap before the main laser reshapes the cornea. Intralase is a brand name of such a laser.
Both treat the surface of the cornea without a flap. In LASEK the surface layer is loosened and moved aside first; in PRK it is removed. Healing is slower than with LASIK. Wavefront PRK uses a map of your eye to guide the laser.
Usually you need to be an adult with a stable prescription and healthy eyes with enough corneal thickness. Only a full examination and corneal scans can confirm this, and some people are better suited to another treatment.
Most patients plan three to five days, covering the examination, the treatment and a check the day after. After surface treatments a longer stay may be advised.
The treatment itself is done under numbing drops and takes minutes per eye. Mild discomfort, watering and light sensitivity are common afterwards, and are usually stronger after surface treatments.
No. Requesting a plan is free, there is no pre-payment to us, and you pay the hospital directly according to its written plan.