SMILE and SMILE pro laser eye surgery in Turkey: what it is and who asks for it
SMILE stands for small incision lenticule extraction. It is a laser correction for short-sightedness (myopia) with or without astigmatism, and it is often called keyhole laser eye surgery: instead of cutting a flap in the cornea, as in LASIK, a femtosecond laser shapes a thin disc of tissue (the lenticule) inside the cornea, and the surgeon removes it through an opening of about 2–4 mm. SMILE pro is the same operation on the manufacturer's newer, faster laser. Removing the disc changes the curvature of the cornea, and light then focuses on the retina without glasses or contact lenses.
Patients who search for SMILE eye surgery in Turkey usually already know about LASIK and want the version without a flap — often because they play contact sports, work in a job where an eye injury is a real possibility, or have read that early dry eye may be less common. For the full guide to laser eye surgery in Turkey, including live hospital prices, every technique and the eligibility tests, see our main page on LASIK and femto-LASIK. This page covers only what is specific to SMILE.
SMILE Laser Eye Surgery in Turkey: how it works
- 1Send your photos and questions
Free and without obligation: tell us what you want to change and send a few photos — by form or WhatsApp.
- 2Get a written plan and price
A surgeon reviews your case and you receive a personal plan with the price, usually within 24 hours. Compare hospitals; nothing is paid in advance.
- 3Travel, surgery and aftercare
Airport pick-up, examination, surgery and check-ups in Istanbul, then follow-up with your surgeon after you fly home.
- Within about 2 hours
A coordinator replies in your language by WhatsApp or e-mail.
- Within 24 hours
A surgeon reviews your photos and you receive a written plan with the surgeon's name and the price.
- You decide
Ask anything and take your time — nothing is paid in advance.
Why plan SMILE Laser Eye Surgery in Turkey with Treat Journey?
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We list licensed hospitals with an international patient department; accreditations such as JCI are shown on each hospital page.
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- Support before, during and after
A coordinator in your language answers within hours, arranges transfers and an interpreter, and stays in touch after you fly home.
How SMILE works, step by step
The whole procedure is done with one laser, a femtosecond laser, and takes about 10–15 minutes for both eyes, of which the laser itself works for well under a minute per eye.
- Numbing and positioning: anaesthetic drops are put in, an eyelid holder keeps the eye open and a curved contact glass gently holds the eye still with light suction. Vision dims for a few seconds.
- Laser: the femtosecond laser creates the lenticule inside the cornea and a small side incision. You look at a fixation light; there is no burning smell, because no tissue is vaporised.
- Removal: the surgeon separates the lenticule and removes it through the incision with a fine instrument. This is the step where the surgeon's experience matters most.
- Finish: the incision seals itself without stitches. Drops are put in and the second eye follows.
Similar lenticule techniques are made by other manufacturers — for example SmartSight, CLEAR and SILK. The principle is the same; the laser platforms, the treatment ranges and the experience of each clinic with them differ, so ask which system will be used for your eyes.
What is SMILE pro?
SMILE pro is the name the manufacturer uses for SMILE performed on its newer laser platform. The main difference is speed: the laser part takes a few seconds per eye instead of about half a minute, which shortens the time the eye is held under suction and makes it easier to keep the eye still. The way the lenticule is removed, the treatment range and the recovery are essentially the same as in classic SMILE. When a clinic in Turkey offers "SMILE pro", it tells you which laser it owns; it is not a different operation, and on its own it is not a reason to pay much more.
SMILE vs LASIK vs PRK
All three correct the same short-sighted prescriptions and, for suitable patients, give similar sharpness of vision once healed. The differences lie in how the cornea is opened, how fast vision returns and which prescriptions can be treated.
| SMILE | Femto-LASIK | PRK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How the cornea is opened | 2–4 mm incision, no flap | A hinged flap about 8.5–9.5 mm across | Surface cells removed, no flap |
| Lasers used | Femtosecond only | Femtosecond and excimer | Excimer |
| Treats | Myopia, astigmatism; long-sightedness only on some platforms | Myopia, long-sightedness, astigmatism | Low to moderate prescriptions, thinner corneas |
| Clear vision | Within one to a few days | Usually the next day | About a week, sharp after 2–4 weeks |
| Discomfort | Mild, a few hours | Mild, a few hours | Painful for 3–4 days |
| Contact sports | No flap that can be displaced | A flap can rarely be displaced by a blow | No flap |
| Enhancement if needed | Usually surface laser over the treated area | The flap is lifted again | Repeat surface laser |
| Stay in Turkey | 3 days | 3 days | 5–6 days |
Comparative studies and systematic reviews published in ophthalmology journals report similar visual results for SMILE and femto-LASIK in myopia. Several report less dry eye and a smaller loss of corneal sensation in the first months after SMILE, because fewer corneal nerves are cut; by six to twelve months the difference is small. LASIK usually gives slightly faster sharp vision on day one and treats a wider range of prescriptions. If your examination shows that a flap is not advisable but your cornea is too thin for SMILE as well, surface treatment such as wavefront PRK or LASEK is the usual alternative.
SMILE eye surgery cost in Turkey compared with the UK, the US and Germany
SMILE is usually the most expensive laser technique, because the laser and its single-use parts cost more and fewer clinics offer it. The figures below are approximate totals for both eyes, confirmed in a written quote after your examination; they are not live prices. For a hospital's current list price for femto-LASIK, which is the usual comparison, see the LASIK page.
| Country | SMILE, both eyes (approximate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | about €1,400–€2,500 | Usually includes the eligibility tests, surgery, drops and check-ups; transfers often included |
| United Kingdom | about £4,000–£6,000 | Often advertised per eye; private only, not available on the NHS for glasses or contact lens wearers |
| United States | about $4,500–$7,000 | Often quoted per eye |
| Germany | about €4,000–€6,000 | Statutory health insurance does not pay for refractive surgery |
What changes the SMILE eye surgery cost in Turkey: the laser platform (SMILE or SMILE pro), whether astigmatism is treated, the hospital's accreditation, how many follow-up visits and whether an enhancement within a year or two is included, and whether hotel and transfers are part of the package. Ask for the price for both eyes, in writing, after the examination — not a "from" price per eye.
Are you a candidate for SMILE?
The decision is made after the same two-hour examination used for every laser technique: corneal topography and tomography, corneal thickness, refraction with and without dilating drops, pupil size, tear tests and a retina check. SMILE is generally considered when:
- you are at least 18 (many clinics prefer 21 or older) and your prescription has been stable for at least a year;
- you are short-sighted, roughly −1 to −10 dioptres, with astigmatism within the range of the laser used (the exact limits depend on the platform and its approval in each country);
- your cornea is thick and regular enough, with no signs of keratoconus;
- you are not pregnant or breastfeeding and have no uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune disease or active eye disease.
SMILE is usually not the first choice for long-sightedness, for very low prescriptions (the lenticule would be too thin to remove safely) or when the cornea is too thin. Very high prescriptions are often better treated with an implantable lens or lens replacement. A clinic that offers SMILE to everyone, without measurements, is a warning sign. Soft contact lenses should be left out for one to two weeks before the examination, rigid lenses for longer.
Your SMILE trip and recovery
SMILE laser eye surgery in Istanbul fits into three days. The general trip plan, the package contents and how to choose a clinic are the same as for LASIK and are explained on the main laser eye surgery page and on how it works.
- Day 1: arrival and the eligibility examination (sometimes on day 2 morning).
- Day 2: surgery; go back to the hotel and rest with your eyes closed for a few hours. Vision is misty at first.
- Day 3: check-up with the surgeon; most patients can fly home the same evening or the next day.
SMILE recovery is quick but sharp vision can take a little longer than after LASIK: many patients see well the next day, some notice slight blur for several days. Typical advice is antibiotic drops for about a week, anti-inflammatory drops for two to four weeks and lubricating drops for several months; no rubbing the eyes; no eye make-up for a week; no swimming for about two weeks; and no driving until the surgeon confirms that you meet the legal standard. Screen work is usually possible after one to three days. Because there is no flap, most surgeons allow contact sports earlier than after LASIK — ask for the exact timing. Practical advice for the flight is in our article on flying after surgery.
Risks of SMILE
SMILE shares most risks with other laser corrections: dry eye, halos and glare at night, under- or over-correction and, rarely, infection or corneal ectasia (a weakening and bulging of the cornea). The FDA's PROWL studies on LASIK — quoted on our main page — are the most widely quoted figures for dry eye and night-vision symptoms after laser correction; comparable large studies for SMILE are fewer, and the reviews mentioned above suggest early dry eye is somewhat less common after SMILE. Risks specific to SMILE include:
- Loss of suction during the laser: uncommon; the treatment is then paused and, depending on the stage, continued, converted to another technique or repeated later.
- Difficult lenticule removal: a tear or a small fragment left in the cornea is rare and can affect vision; experience with the technique lowers this risk.
- Slower vision in the first days: mild haze or blur that clears over days to weeks.
- Enhancements are less simple: there is no flap to lift, so a residual prescription is usually treated with surface laser over the treated area, or by converting the incision into a flap.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists in the UK advises that refractive surgery is elective and that you should receive written information on risks and a cooling-off period before agreeing to it. That applies in Turkey too.
Is SMILE laser eye surgery in Turkey safe? What to ask before you book
SMILE in Turkey is performed on the same laser platforms used in the UK and the rest of Europe. Safety depends on the selection of patients, the surgeon's volume of SMILE cases and the follow-up, not on the country. Before booking, ask:
- Which laser will be used (classic SMILE, SMILE pro or another lenticule system), and how many lenticule procedures the surgeon performs each year.
- Which measurements are made, and whether you receive copies of the topography and the final prescription.
- What happens if SMILE is not suitable on the day: is femto-LASIK or PRK offered instead, and at what price?
- Whether an enhancement within one or two years is included, and how it would be done.
- Who your contact is after you fly home, and whether your optician can do the later check-ups.
Our article on how to choose a safe surgeon in Turkey lists the documents and red flags that apply to every treatment.
Before your second consultation at home, it helps to take the written plan from the Turkish clinic, your measurements and the name of the laser to your optician. They can tell you whether the treatment proposed matches your prescription and corneal thickness, and they will usually be the person who checks your eyes at one, three and six months.
Results: what to expect after SMILE
For suitable short-sighted patients, studies report that the large majority see well enough to drive and work without glasses after SMILE, with results comparable to femto-LASIK. The correction is permanent, although a small regression can occur. SMILE does not stop age-related changes: from your mid-forties you will probably need reading glasses, and cataract can still develop later in life. If you are over about 45 and already struggle to read, lens-based options may suit you better — see lens replacement. For a comparison of all eye treatments, start from the eye surgery overview.
Send your current glasses or contact lens prescription and, if you have them, earlier prescriptions from the last two years. With these we can tell you whether SMILE laser eye surgery in Turkey is worth considering for your eyes before you book flights, and the examination in Istanbul then confirms it.
Frequently asked questions
SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) is a laser correction for short-sightedness and astigmatism. A femtosecond laser shapes a thin disc of tissue inside the cornea, which the surgeon removes through a 2–4 mm incision. There is no flap, unlike LASIK.
SMILE in Turkey usually costs about €1,400–€2,500 for both eyes, depending on the laser platform, the hospital and what the package includes. These are approximate figures; your exact price is written in your quote after the examination.
Neither is better for everyone. For suitable short-sighted patients the visual results are similar. SMILE has no flap and may cause somewhat less dry eye in the first months; LASIK gives sharp vision slightly faster and treats long-sightedness and a wider range of prescriptions.
SMILE pro is SMILE performed on the manufacturer's newer laser, which works in a few seconds per eye instead of about half a minute. The operation, the treatment range and the recovery are essentially the same.
Yes. SMILE is often called keyhole laser eye surgery because the tissue is removed through a small incision of about 2–4 mm instead of under a flap.
Most people see well within one to a few days and return to screen work after one to three days. Drops are used for several weeks, swimming is avoided for about two weeks and vision settles fully over a few weeks.
Three days are usually enough: examination, surgery and a check-up the next day. Most patients fly home on day 3 or 4.
No. Numbing drops are used and you feel pressure during the few seconds of suction. Mild scratchiness and watering for a few hours afterwards are normal.
Treatment of long-sightedness by lenticule extraction is newer and available only on some platforms. Most clinics still treat long-sightedness with femto-LASIK or, over about 45, with lens replacement.
Most patients do not. If a residual prescription remains, it is usually treated with surface laser (PRK) on the corneal surface, or by converting the incision into a flap. Ask before booking whether an enhancement is included.
People under 18, those with a changing prescription, thin or irregular corneas or keratoconus, very low or very high prescriptions, severe dry eye, uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune disease, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.