What is the price of retinal detachment treatment in Turkey?
Retinal detachment treatment in Turkey costs between £1,200 and £3,100 per eye, depending on the technique: vitrectomy, scleral buckling or pneumatic retinopexy. In the UK, the procedure is usually covered by the NHS[1], which requires surgery within 24 to 48 hours[2].
| Retinal detachment treatment in Turkey | £1,200 - £3,100 (per eye) |
Introduction
Are you experiencing flashes of light, blurred vision or the sensation of a dark curtain across your field of vision? These symptoms can be signs of a retinal detachment. This is a serious eye condition that requires prompt treatment to avoid permanent vision loss.
Has your ophthalmologist diagnosed a retinal detachment and are you considering treatment in Turkey? This guide sets out the essential information you need for your medical care in this Mediterranean destination.
What is a retinal detachment?
Retinal detachment is an uncommon ophthalmic emergency. It occurs when the retina separates from the layer of tissue that supports it. The retinal cells are then deprived of oxygen and nutrients, which causes various symptoms such as floaters, a dark veil over part of your vision, flashes of light and a sudden loss of visual acuity.
There are three main types of retinal detachment depending on the cause:
- Exudative retinal detachment: a fairly uncommon form caused by a build-up of fluid under the retina. It can result from leaks from inflamed or abnormal blood vessels. It can also occur with an eye tumour or age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- Tractional retinal detachment: this is a side effect of proliferative diabetic retinopathy or eye inflammation. It occurs when scar tissue on the surface of the retina contracts and pulls the retina away from the supporting layer.
- Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: this is the most common type. It is mainly linked to ageing, severe short-sightedness or eye trauma. It occurs when there is a hole or tear in the retina. The vitreous fluid inside the eye passes through this gap and builds up under the retina. This eventually detaches it from its supporting layer.
Each of these retinal detachments can be treated specifically in Turkey. This is why an initial consultation with a specialist is necessary to determine the most appropriate eye surgery.
Read our guide on glaucoma treatment in Turkey
What are the different types of treatment for retinal detachment in Turkey?
In Turkey, several treatments are available for retinal detachment. The choice and application of one of them is based mainly on the severity of your condition and the location of the detachment. An established detachment is treated with surgery; laser alone is used on a tear, to reduce the risk of detachment[2].
Scleral buckling
This is a surgical procedure that aims to reduce the traction exerted on the retina in order to hold it in place against the wall of the eye. Scleral buckling allows the retina to reattach, among other things, through the insertion of a band or a ring (made of silicone or sponge) around the eye.
Vitrectomy in Turkey
Vitrectomy is a procedure that involves replacing the vitreous gel inside the eye with a bubble of gas or oil. Removing the vitreous eliminates the traction exerted on the retina, and the gas or oil holds it against the wall of the eye during healing.
In a patient who still has their lens, it is often followed by cataract surgery: in the PIVOT trial, 65% underwent it within the year, compared with 16% after pneumatic retinopexy[3].
Pneumatic retinopexy
As with a vitrectomy procedure, for pneumatic retinopexy the surgeon also injects a small gas bubble inside the eye. This gently pushes the detached retina against the wall so that it can return to its original position.
The surgeon finishes the procedure with laser fixation or cryotherapy to seal the tears. The difference from vitrectomy is that the vitreous is not removed: the gas bubble is gradually reabsorbed and the retina stays attached thanks to the scars created by the treatment.
Argon laser
This is a non-invasive method that treats a retinal tear before it leads to a detachment. The light it emits causes small burns that then create scars on the retina. These scars seal the tears or holes. This prevents fluid from passing under the retina. According to the Assurance Maladie, this adhesive scar reduces the risk of detachment[2].
Why choose Turkey for retinal detachment treatment?
Turkey has ophthalmology centres that perform eye surgery, including retinal surgery. In addition, Turkish clinics use cutting-edge technologies such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography to diagnose retinal detachments.
Hospitals and clinics in Turkey also have extensive experience in treating international patients. The medical teams are multilingual and offer personalised support throughout the treatment process.
When can you fly after retinal surgery in Turkey?
With a gas bubble in the eye, flying is contraindicated[2]: you have to wait for it to be reabsorbed, around 2 weeks after SF6 and 6 weeks after C3F8[4]. Your stay should be planned around this period; the formalities are described in our guide on medical tourism in Turkey.
In a chamber simulating a cabin at 8,000 feet, one month after C3F8, eye pressure rose on average from 13 to 26 mmHg, up to 32 mmHg without a buckle, across 12 eyes[5]. The operation itself cannot be delayed: the Assurance Maladie requires it to be performed within 24 to 48 hours of diagnosis[2].
Frequently asked questions about retinal detachment
What is the success rate of retinal detachment treatment in Turkey?
No Turkey-specific rate is published. In the PIVOT trial, the retina was reattached in one procedure in 80.8% of patients after pneumatic retinopexy versus 93.2% after vitrectomy, but vision at one year was better after pneumatic retinopexy[3].
What are the main causes of retinal detachment?
The main causes of retinal detachment include eye injuries, ageing, diabetes, severe short-sightedness and a history of eye surgery that causes trauma.
What are the warning signs of retinal detachment?
The warning signs to watch for are blurred vision, flashes of light, floaters and a dark curtain in the field of vision. The Assurance Maladie advises seeking advice the same day if you notice any loss of vision in one eye[2].
What is the price of retinal detachment surgery?
In Turkey, retinal detachment surgery costs between £1,200 and £3,100 per eye, depending on the technique and hospital stay. In the UK, it is usually covered by the NHS[1], excluding the hospital charge of £23 per day.
What is the recovery time after retinal detachment surgery?
Recovery depends on the state of the macula and the time before surgery. With a detached macula, final acuity reaches an average of 20/25 if symptoms started 6 days ago or less, versus 20/50 beyond that[6]. No single recovery timeline applies to everyone.
Does medical insurance cover retinal detachment treatment in Turkey?
In the UK, the procedure is usually covered by the NHS, excluding the hospital charge[1]. Carried out in Turkey, outside the European Union, it is only reimbursed in exceptional cases, after prior agreement from the medical adviser[7].
Sources & References
- Assurance Maladie. Hospitalisation et chirurgie : votre prise en charge. ameli.fr, 2026. View the source
- Assurance Maladie. Décollement de rétine. ameli.fr, 2026. View the source
- Hillier RJ, Felfeli T, Berger AR, et al. The Pneumatic Retinopexy versus Vitrectomy for the Management of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Outcomes Randomized Trial (PIVOT). Ophthalmology. 2019;126(4):531-539. View the source
- Houston S, Graf J, Sharkey J. Commercial air travel after intraocular gas injection. Aviat Space Environ Med. 2012;83(8):809-810. View the source
- Noble J, Kanchanaranya N, Devenyi RG, Lam WC. Evaluating the safety of air travel for patients with scleral buckles and small volumes of intraocular gas. Br J Ophthalmol. 2014;98(9):1226-1229. View the source
- Kim JD, Pham HH, Lai MM, et al. Effect of symptom duration on outcomes following vitrectomy repair of primary macula-off retinal detachments. Retina. 2013;33(9):1931-1937. View the source
- Assurance Maladie. Soins programmés à l’étranger : votre prise en charge. ameli.fr, 2026. View the source
