How much does laser eye surgery cost in Turkey?
The cost of laser eye surgery in Turkey ranges from £1,050 to £2,200 (both eyes), compared with £2,300 to £4,500 in the UK. This all-inclusive price covers local anaesthetic drops, aftercare and the hotel. The procedure takes 15 minutes as day surgery, with no overnight stay.
📊 Price table 2026
| Procedure | Price in Turkey | Price in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK (Femto-LASIK) | £1,050 - £1,500 | £2,000 - £2,800 |
| SMILE (latest generation) | £1,700 - £2,200 | £2,800 - £3,500 |
| Trans-PRK (no-touch) | £950 - £1,400 | £1,600 - £2,400 |
| ICL implant (high myopia) | £2,400 - £3,500 | £4,500 - £6,500 |
What is laser eye surgery?
LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis), commonly known as laser eye surgery, is a type of refractive eye surgery that corrects vision problems. The procedure reshapes the cornea so that light entering the eye focuses correctly on the retina for clearer, sharper vision.
LASIK is mainly used to treat long-sightedness, short-sightedness and astigmatism. In some cases it can also be performed on people with mild to moderate refractive errors.
LASIK is generally painless and quick. The results give you better vision without glasses or contact lenses. The procedure is performed once the prescription has stabilised, which the pre-operative assessment confirms.
It is important to know that LASIK is not suitable for everyone. In some cases patients are advised against it, particularly if they have keratoconus, immune system disorders, large pupils, advanced glaucoma, eye problems caused by diabetes, a previous herpetic eye infection, autoimmune conditions or dry eye. Always consult your ophthalmologist before considering this type of surgery.
Before LASIK you may be short-sighted, long-sighted or astigmatic, and you probably rely on glasses or contact lenses. Wearing them limits your activities. After LASIK you can have clear vision and lead an active life, for example by playing sport. The procedure aims to reduce that reliance, without removing it in every case.
LASIK, SMILE or Trans-PRK: which technique for which eye?
The table above prices four techniques, and they are not aimed at the same eyes. For the most part they are equivalent: applicability, effectiveness, safety and predictability are very close. It is in the recovery that the differences matter, and there alone[1].
LASIK recovers fastest, but the corneal flap remains a weak point. SMILE avoids that flap, with an intermediate recovery. Trans-PRK is the most mechanically stable, at the cost of the longest recovery and the most uncomfortable after-effects[1].
What does the procedure in Turkey involve?
Before the procedure, your ophthalmologist will give you instructions on how to prepare. Your cornea will be measured and your medical history assessed. If you regularly wear contact lenses, you will need to stop wearing them completely for at least a few weeks beforehand, as they can change the shape of your cornea.
During LASIK you lie on your back on a reclining chair. The procedure is performed under topical anaesthesia, which numbs your eyes. An instrument is used to hold your eyelids open.
Your surgeon uses a small surgical instrument called a microkeratome, or a femtosecond laser, to cut a small hinged flap at the front of your eye (the cornea). The flap is then folded back to reach the cornea underneath. Your ophthalmologist then reshapes your cornea with a programmed laser.
The cornea is reshaped so that light entering the eye focuses more precisely on the retina, improving vision. Once the cornea has been reshaped, the flap is put back in place. The flap normally heals without any stitches.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey for laser eye surgery (LASIK)?
LASIK is often performed as day surgery, which means you can leave the hospital once the effects of the topical anaesthesia and sedation have worn off. The procedure itself can take 30 minutes for both eyes. However, you should not leave Turkey immediately after being discharged.
A stay of around 3 to 5 days is recommended, to allow your body to recover and to attend a follow-up check. At that appointment your ophthalmologist will assess the health of your eye and your visual acuity.
What is the recovery time for laser eye surgery (LASIK) in Turkey?
On the day of the procedure your vision may be blurred or hazy. It will improve over the following two days. If your work is not physically demanding, you can usually return within a few days, on the date your ophthalmologist sets. Your eyes will continue to heal and improve for around 6 months after LASIK.
What kind of follow-up is needed after laser eye surgery (LASIK) in Turkey?
Follow all your ophthalmologist’s instructions to support healing and limit complications. You may need to avoid strenuous activity during your recovery to make sure your eyes heal properly.
Always protect your eyes from injury, as they are generally more sensitive to trauma after LASIK. You may need regular follow-up appointments to check your vision, but this is normally done with your local ophthalmologist.
Remember that LASIK does not prevent you from developing other eye conditions, so always protect your eyes. Eat a healthy diet to preserve the quality of your sight, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun, take breaks when working at a computer or using your phone so you do not strain your eyes, get enough sleep after a long day and see your ophthalmologist regularly.
What is the success rate of laser eye surgery (LASIK) in Turkey?
Reviews that follow patients for ten years show a high level of safety and rare late complications, within the recommended indications. The effectiveness of the strongest corrections, however, declines over time[2].
The results you get depend on several factors, including your specific refractive error. People with low myopia generally get the best results. Results are less predictable in people with long-sightedness or high myopia, and with astigmatism.
Some patients who have had LASIK need a second procedure to improve their vision, because the operation left them under-corrected.
In a few very rare cases, some people’s eyes can slowly return to the level of vision they had before the operation, because of certain conditions such as another eye problem, abnormal healing or hormonal imbalances.
LASIK also carries certain risks you should be aware of, including dry eye, glare, double vision, halos, under-correction, over-correction, flap problems, astigmatism, regression, vision loss and changes in vision. Make sure you discuss these risks with your ophthalmologist.
Are there alternatives to laser eye surgery (LASIK) in Turkey?
The main alternatives to LASIK are the phakic implant and lens exchange. With phakic intraocular lens implants, the layers of the cornea are not peeled back or cut. Instead, an artificial silicone or plastic lens is implanted to improve your vision.
In lens exchange, the natural lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular implant. This option depends on an indication set by the ophthalmologist, separate from that of corneal laser surgery.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
How much does laser eye surgery cost in Turkey?
From £1,050 to £2,200 for both eyes depending on the technique, compared with £2,300 to £4,500 in the UK. The price covers anaesthetic drops, aftercare and the hotel, as detailed in our guide to medical tourism in Turkey.
At what age can you have the operation?
There is no fixed age. What matters is the stability of your prescription: as long as your glasses change from one year to the next, the operation is postponed. The pre-operative assessment measures that stability before the indication is set.
Can both eyes be operated on the same day?
That is standard practice in refractive surgery, and it is what the quoted price for both eyes assumes. The decision rests with the surgeon, who takes into account the state of each cornea and the patient’s lifestyle.
Do the results last?
Reviews following patients ten years after surgery show a high level of safety and rare late complications, within the recommended indications. It is the strongest corrections that lose effectiveness over time[2].
How long does dry eye last?
It comes down to the sectioning of the corneal nerves. After LASIK, this reinnervation is the slowest of the three techniques; Trans-PRK regains normal sensitivity sooner[1]. Artificial tears are prescribed.
Can you fly straight afterwards?
The flight itself is not a problem, but the next-day check is done locally. That is why a stay of three to five days is indicated above, rather than any constraint linked to altitude or cabin pressure.
What if the cornea rules out laser?
A cornea that is too thin, keratoconus or advanced glaucoma rule out laser. What remains is a phakic implant, lens exchange, or a corneal transplant when the cornea itself is affected. The assessment decides before any decision is taken.
Sources & References
- Chang JY, Lin PY, Hsu CC, Liu CJ. Comparison of clinical outcomes of LASIK, Trans‑PRK, and SMILE for correction of myopia. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 2022. View the source
- Taneri S, Knepper J, Rost A, Dick HB. Long‑term outcomes of PRK, LASIK and SMILE. Der Ophthalmologe, 2021. View the source
