Laser Eye Surgery in Turkey: LASIK, SMILE, ICL

Turkey treats a very large number of international patients for vision correction — LASIK, the newer SMILE technique, and ICL (implantable collamer lens) for patients who are not candidates for laser correction — using the same excimer and femtosecond laser platforms (Zeiss, Alcon, Schwind) found in Western Europe. These are elective, planned procedures: the right technique depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and lifestyle, decided by a pre-operative scan rather than by which package you pick. A typical trip is short, often 4 to 5 days including the mandatory pre-operative assessment and a next-day check. Navivera arranges for a licensed ophthalmology team to review your prescription and corneal topography before you travel, and one Care Navigator coordinates the trip.

Procedures covered

LASIK

A thin corneal flap is created and the underlying tissue reshaped with a laser to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness or astigmatism; the flap is repositioned to heal.

SMILE

A flapless technique where a small lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue is removed through a tiny incision; often preferred for higher prescriptions or thinner corneas.

PRK / Surface Ablation

The corneal surface layer is removed and reshaped directly; no flap is created, which suits some corneal shapes and occupations but means a longer initial healing period.

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)

A corrective lens is placed inside the eye in front of or behind the iris, without removing corneal tissue; used when the cornea is too thin or the prescription too high for laser correction.

Why patients travel to Turkey for vision correction

Turkey’s licensed refractive surgery centres run the same laser platforms used in the UK and Germany at very high volume, which keeps the technology current and the surgical teams experienced. Combined with typically lower prices, this is why refractive surgery is one of the most searched-for procedures among medical travellers to Turkey.

Who is a good candidate

Candidacy depends on a stable prescription for at least 12 months, corneal thickness and shape, pupil size, and general eye health — all checked by a pre-operative scan, not guessed from your glasses prescription alone. Some conditions (keratoconus, very thin corneas, active eye disease) rule out laser correction but may still allow ICL. A responsible clinic tells you this before you book, not after you arrive.

How pricing works, and why you will not find a price list here

Pricing depends on which technique suits your eyes (LASIK, SMILE, PRK or ICL), whether both eyes are treated in one visit, and the laser platform used. We ask an ophthalmologist to review your prescription and, where possible, existing corneal scans, and send a written, itemised quote naming the technique within 24 hours.

What to check before you book anywhere

Before booking, it is worth asking:

Is the clinic authorised by the Ministry of Health to treat international patients?
Which technique is recommended for your eyes specifically, and why — based on which scan?
What happens if the pre-operative scan on arrival shows you are not a suitable candidate — is a refund or alternative offered?
What follow-up is included, and for how long after you fly home?

You can check the first question yourself: the Ministry of Health publishes its list of certified healthcare providers and facilitators on HealthTürkiye. Navivera is happy to be checked there too.

How Navivera approaches it

We only work with clinics holding Ministry of Health authorisation for international patients. Your Care Navigator collects your prescription history, arranges the pre-operative scan, gets a written plan naming the technique, and coordinates the trip and follow-up.

A typical trip: 4 to 5 days

Before you flyYour prescription history is reviewed; a comprehensive eye scan is scheduled for the day after arrival.

Day 1Arrival and full pre-operative examination: corneal topography, pupil measurement and a final decision on technique.

Day 2Surgery, usually 15 to 20 minutes per eye, under numbing drops, with same-day discharge.

Day 3Next-day check-up to confirm healing is on track before you fly.

Recovery: what to expect

First 48 hoursSome grittiness, light sensitivity and blurred vision after LASIK or SMILE, usually settling within a day or two; PRK has a longer initial discomfort period of several days.

First 2 weeksAntibiotic and lubricating drops as prescribed; avoiding swimming, eye make-up and rubbing the eyes; most patients return to screen work within a few days after LASIK or SMILE.

First 3 monthsVision continues to stabilise; a final follow-up confirms your result, ideally coordinated with an eye professional at home if you cannot return.

Laser eye surgery in Turkey: frequently asked questions

Is laser eye surgery in Turkey safe?

Yes, at clinics authorised by the Ministry of Health for international patients and using established laser platforms. The key safety step is a proper pre-operative scan to confirm you are a suitable candidate.

LASIK, SMILE or ICL — which is right for me?

This depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and eye health, decided by your pre-operative scan, not a fixed recommendation given in advance.

How long do I need to stay?

Most patients need 4 to 5 days: arrival, pre-operative scan, surgery and a next-day check before flying home.

What if I am not a candidate once I arrive?

Ask this before booking. A responsible clinic will tell you honestly if the scan on arrival rules out laser correction, and should offer an alternative (such as ICL) or a clear refund policy.

Why does Navivera not show prices?

Because pricing depends on which technique suits your eyes and whether both eyes are treated. We send an itemised quote within 24 hours of reviewing your prescription.

This page is general information prepared by Navivera to help you plan; it is not medical advice. Your suitability for surgery and the specific technique are decided by the treating ophthalmologist after examining you. Last reviewed: 6 September 2026.