SmartSight laser eye surgery in Turkey: what it is and how it works
SmartSight laser eye surgery is a form of keyhole laser vision correction for short-sightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. It is the name used for the lenticule-extraction method that runs on the Schwind ATOS femtosecond laser, and it is closely related to the better-known SMILE procedure. Instead of lifting a corneal flap, the laser cuts a thin disc of tissue, called a lenticule, inside the cornea and the surgeon removes it through a small incision of roughly 2–4 mm. Taking out the lenticule flattens the front of the eye and changes how light focuses on the retina, so glasses or contact lenses are needed less or not at all.
Because only one laser is used and no flap is made, the cornea keeps more of its outer structure than after flap-based surgery. This guide explains the steps, what the evidence says, what it costs in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany, what recovery feels like and how to judge a clinic. For the wider family of methods see our guide to laser eye surgery and the full list of eye treatments in Turkey.
How is the lenticule removed, step by step?
You are awake for the whole operation and have numbing drops in both eyes; no needle or general anaesthesia is involved. A small suction ring holds the eye still while the femtosecond laser works for roughly 20 to 40 seconds per eye, creating the lenticule and a tiny tunnel to reach it. You look at a fixation light, and the laser is guided by an eye-tracking system. The surgeon then opens the incision with a fine instrument, separates the lenticule and lifts it out. There are no stitches. In total, you are in the treatment room for about 15 to 20 minutes, and both eyes are normally treated on the same day.
Before any of this, the assessment measures your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, pupil size and the dryness of your eyes. If your scans show an unusual shape, the surgeon may advise against the procedure altogether.
Does SmartSight laser eye surgery work? What the evidence says
For its intended range, yes. Studies of lenticule extraction, the family SmartSight belongs to, report that the large majority of people with myopia reach 20/40 vision or better, which is the standard for driving in many countries, and many reach 20/20. Refractive results are comparable with LASIK, and fewer people report dry eyes in the first months. The published evidence is strongest for SMILE itself, which has been used since 2011; SmartSight is a newer platform of the same idea, so long-term data specific to this device is smaller and a clinic should say so honestly.
What the treatment cannot do: it does not treat long-sightedness or presbyopia (the reading-glasses age change), and it cannot stop your prescription changing if it is still unstable. Some people need a touch-up later, and a few still use glasses for night driving or fine detail. Be sceptical of any promise of perfect vision or of "no glasses ever again".
SmartSight laser eye surgery cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany
The figures below are approximate ranges for both eyes, not hospital quotes. Each hospital confirms its own price in writing after reviewing your scans.
| Country | Approximate cost range (both eyes) |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €1,300 – €3,000 |
| United Kingdom | €3,200 – €5,800 |
| United States | €3,800 – €6,800 |
| Germany | €3,000 – €5,500 |
What changes the price: the laser platform, the size of your prescription, whether the pre-operative scans and the first follow-up checks are included, and whether a free enhancement within a stated period is offered. Ask whether medication, eye drops and the post-operative review are part of the quoted package, and what an enhancement would cost if you need one.
SmartSight, SMILE, LASIK or PRK: which suits which eye?
All four reshape the cornea; they differ in how the surgeon reaches the tissue. SmartSight and SMILE remove a lenticule through a small incision. LASIK lifts a flap, reshapes the underside with a second laser and replaces the flap, as described in our guide to LASIK and Femto-LASIK. PRK and its relatives remove the surface layer and reshape the cornea beneath it.
| Method | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| SmartSight | Myopia with or without astigmatism, active lifestyles, dry-eye tendency | No treatment of long-sightedness; enhancement options differ |
| SMILE | The same group of patients, on a different laser | Same range limits; check the device used |
| LASIK | Myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism with adequate corneal thickness | Flap-related risks; more dryness early on |
| PRK | Thin corneas or contact-sport jobs | Slower, more uncomfortable healing |
For the nearest relative of this method, read our page on SMILE laser eye surgery. If your cornea is thin or the surface has irregularities, wavefront PRK may be offered instead.
Who can have SmartSight, and who cannot?
Good candidates are adults, usually from 21 or 22, with a stable prescription for at least a year, healthy corneas of adequate thickness, no active eye disease and realistic expectations. Typical limits for lenticule extraction are myopia up to about –10 dioptres and astigmatism up to about 5, but the exact range depends on the device and your corneal thickness.
You are less likely to be suitable if your cornea is thin or irregular (a sign of keratoconus), your prescription is changing, you have uncontrolled dry eye, glaucoma or cataract, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some autoimmune conditions and certain medicines also affect healing. If you are long-sighted, another method will be needed.
What does vision feel like in the first days?
Most people see clearly enough to read a phone within the first day, though vision can look misty or have halos for several days. Expect watering, a gritty sensation and light sensitivity for the first 24 to 48 hours, eased with the prescribed drops. Typical milestones: a check the next day, return to desk work after two to three days, no eye make-up for about a week, no swimming for about two weeks and no contact sports for about a month. Vision keeps sharpening over three to six months. Do not rub your eyes, and wear the protective shields at night as instructed.
SmartSight before and after: what results should you expect?
There is no visible change to the eye itself: no scar can be seen and the incision heals within days. The "after" is your prescription. Many people reach 20/20 or close to it, and nearly all reach driving standard. Ask the clinic for its own outcome figures: the percentage of eyes within 0.5 dioptres of the target, the percentage seeing 20/20, and the enhancement rate. Be wary of galleries that show only perfect outcomes, and remember that results are measured on eye charts, not photographs.
Dry eyes, glare and other risks of SmartSight laser eye surgery
All eye surgery carries risk. Common and usually temporary effects are dry eye, glare and halos at night, fluctuating vision and light sensitivity. Less common problems include under- or over-correction needing an enhancement, haze, infection, inflammation and difficulty making the lenticule separation, in which case the surgeon may switch to another technique. Very rarely, vision can be lost or corneal shape can change (ectasia). The NHS, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the American Academy of Ophthalmology all advise that you understand these risks, are assessed by a qualified ophthalmologist and have clear aftercare arranged. Ask what happens if a problem appears after you return home.
How long should you stay in Turkey for SmartSight?
Plan three to four nights. The first day is for the assessment and scans, the second for the operation, the third for the check the morning after and again at 48 hours if needed. Most clinics ask you to wait for the one-week check before long travel, but many patients fly after the first review if the surgeon agrees. Arrange transport to the airport and sunglasses for the journey. A video or local follow-up one month later and again at three months lets the team confirm your result.
How to choose a clinic, red flags and questions to ask
Check that your surgeon is a registered ophthalmologist who performs refractive surgery regularly, that the hospital is licensed, and that you receive a written plan after scans, not a price over chat alone. Red flags include a quote before any examination, pressure to book quickly, no named surgeon, guarantees of perfect vision and no aftercare plan. Read how our process works and ask for a plan through the free quote page.
- Which laser and which method will be used on my eyes, and why?
- What are your enhancement and complication rates?
- Is an enhancement included, and for how long?
- Who handles follow-up after I fly home?
- What does the package include besides the operation?
Hospitals with Eye Surgery in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
SmartSight is a keyhole form of laser vision correction. A femtosecond laser shapes a thin disc of tissue inside the cornea, and the surgeon removes it through a small incision, which changes the focus of the eye without making a corneal flap.
For short-sightedness and astigmatism it works well. Most people reach driving standard and many reach 20/20. Long-term data for this specific platform is smaller than for SMILE, and some people need a touch-up later.
Roughly €1,300 to €3,000 for both eyes, against about €3,200 to €5,800 in the UK. The price depends on the laser, your prescription and what the package includes, so check scans, drops and enhancement terms.
Nothing changes in how the eye looks. The difference is in your vision: many people reach 20/20 or close to it within days, with sharpness continuing to improve for three to six months.
Vision is usable within a day, and most people return to desk work after two to three days. Dryness and halos can last for weeks, and contact sports and swimming are usually avoided for two to four weeks.
The eye is numbed, so you feel pressure rather than pain. Afterwards a gritty or watery feeling for a day or two is common and is eased by lubricating drops.
Neither is best for everyone. SmartSight avoids a flap and tends to cause less early dryness, while LASIK can treat long-sightedness and has a longer record. Your scans and prescription decide.
The corneal change is permanent, but eyes can still change with age. Presbyopia, the need for reading glasses after about 45, develops regardless, and a few people need an enhancement.
It is widely used and generally safe in suitable patients, but risks include dry eye, glare, under-correction and, rarely, infection or corneal changes. A full assessment and a qualified ophthalmologist reduce these risks.
Three to four nights is usual: assessment, operation, the day-after check and a final review. Some surgeons ask you to wait for the one-week check before long-haul flights.