LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis)
Flap created, laser reshapes cornea. 10-minute procedure, vision recovers within 24–48 hours. Most popular refractive procedure.
Typical cost abroad: $800–$2,000 in Turkey vs $3,000–$6,000 in US
Eye Surgery Abroad — Costs, Best Countries & Top Clinics
LASIK eye surgery for both eyes costs $800–$2,000 in Turkey and $600–$1,200 in India, compared to $3,000–$6,000 in the US — a saving of 60–75%. Modern SMILE and LASIK procedures take under 10 minutes per eye with 95% of patients achieving 20/20 vision or better.
Eye Surgery — Key Facts at a Glance
- Success rate (20/20 or better)
- 95%+
- Procedure duration
- 7–10 minutes per eye
- Eligible prescription range (LASIK)
- Up to -12D myopia, +6D hyperopia
- Permanent results
- Yes — cornea does not revert
- Minimum age
- 18–21 years (stable prescription for 1–2 years)
Medically reviewed by Dr. Murat Ustun, M.D., Founder & Medical Director, Flytocure Healthcare.
Overview: Eye Surgery as a Medical Tourist
LASIK and advanced eye surgery abroad costs 50–70% less than in the UK and US. Turkey, India, and South Korea offer the same femtosecond laser and SMILE technology used at top Western clinics, often with shorter wait times.
What is Eye Surgery?
Eye surgery abroad covers refractive procedures (LASIK, SMILE, PRK, ICL lens implants) that correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, as well as cataract surgery, glaucoma treatment, and vitreoretinal surgery. Modern laser eye correction achieves 20/20 vision or better in 95%+ of patients and takes under 10 minutes per eye.
Eye Surgery Cost Comparison by Country (2026)
The table below shows typical all-inclusive costs for eye surgery at accredited international hospitals, compared to home-country prices.
| Country | Typical Price Range | Saving vs US |
|---|---|---|
 Turkey |
$800–$2,000 (LASIK, both eyes) | Save 60–75% |
 India |
$600–$1,200 (LASIK, both eyes) | Save 70–85% |
 South Korea |
$1,500–$3,000 (SMILE, both eyes) | Save 40–60% |
 Czech Republic |
€1,000–€2,000 (LASIK, both eyes) | Save 50–65% |
 United Kingdom |
£2,500–£5,000 (LASIK, both eyes) | — |
 United States |
$3,000–$6,000 (LASIK, both eyes) | Reference price |
Prices are indicative and include surgeon fees, anaesthesia, and hospital stay unless otherwise stated. Actual quotes are confirmed by each clinic. Use our free cost calculator for a personalised estimate.
Types of Eye Surgery: Which Is Right for You?
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
Keyhole laser correction without flap creation. Lower dry eye risk. Latest generation technology.
Typical cost abroad: $1,500–$3,500 abroad vs $4,000–$7,000 in US
PRK / LASEK
Surface laser treatment. No flap — preferred for thin corneas or contact sports. Longer recovery (1–2 weeks).
Typical cost abroad: $600–$1,800 abroad
ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)
Removable lens implanted behind iris. No corneal tissue removed — ideal for high prescriptions or thin corneas.
Typical cost abroad: $2,000–$4,000 abroad vs $6,000–$10,000 in US
Cataract Surgery with Premium IOL
Cataract removal with multifocal or toric intraocular lens for distance and reading vision.
Typical cost abroad: $1,500–$3,000 per eye abroad vs $4,000–$7,000 in US
Best Countries for Eye Surgery Abroad
- Turkey
- India
- South Korea
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
Recovery Time & Travel Planning for Eye Surgery Abroad
LASIK: 24–48 hours to clear vision, fly home next day. SMILE: 3–5 days. PRK: 1–2 weeks for clear vision, fly after 5–7 days. ICL: 1–2 days before flying. Avoid rubbing eyes for 1 month post-LASIK.
What to Look for in a Eye Surgery Clinic Abroad
- Wavefront-guided or topography-guided laser platform (Zeiss MEL, Alcon WaveLight, or Johnson & Johnson iDesign)
- Pre-operative corneal mapping (Pentacam or Orbscan)
- Board-certified ophthalmologist performing the procedure
- Lifetime enhancement guarantee
- Minimum 3,000 annual procedures at the clinic
Accreditations to Look For in a Eye Surgery Hospital
- JCI
- ISO 9001
- National ophthalmology board certification
- EuroVision certification (Europe)
Frequently Asked Questions: Eye Surgery Abroad
How much does LASIK cost in Turkey?
LASIK for both eyes in Turkey costs $800–$2,000, using the same Zeiss, Alcon, or Johnson & Johnson laser platforms as US clinics. This is 60–75% less than the US cost of $3,000–$6,000. Most clinics include a lifetime enhancement guarantee.
What is the difference between LASIK and SMILE abroad?
LASIK creates a corneal flap before laser reshaping; SMILE uses a keyhole incision with no flap. SMILE has a lower dry eye risk and is better for active patients or contact sport athletes. SMILE costs $1,500–$3,500 abroad versus LASIK at $800–$2,000.
Can I fly home the day after LASIK abroad?
Yes. Most patients are cleared to fly 24–48 hours after LASIK. Vision is typically clear enough to navigate airports by the next morning. Surgeons provide post-operative drops for use on the flight. SMILE and PRK require 3–7 days before flying.
167 clinics available worldwide for eye surgery.
Top Clinics for Eye Surgery
Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.8/5 | 534 reviews
Acıbadem Healthcare Group's flagship facility opened in 2017 with 350 beds, 18 operating theatres, 75 ICU beds, and 98,000 sqm of space. JCI-accredited and LEED Gold certified. Features hybrid operating room with 3 Tesla intraoperative MRI, 128-slice sliding CT, and robotic arm angiography. Advanced oncology with Tomotherapy, TrueBeam, VitalBeam, and Gamma Knife Icon.
Acıbadem Atakent Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.7/5 | 412 reviews
University hospital of Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar University with JCI Academic Medical Center accreditation. Features 262 beds, 12 operating rooms, 60 ICU beds, and 60,000 sqm facilities. Advanced radiation oncology with TrueBeam, VitalBeam, Radixact/Tomotherapy, CyberKnife, and Gamma Knife.
American Hospital Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.8/5 | 678 reviews
Turkey's oldest and most prestigious private hospital, established in 1920 in Istanbul's Nişantaşı district. JCI-accredited with 278 beds, Da Vinci robotic surgery, advanced oncology with CyberKnife, comprehensive cardiac center, and a pioneering organ transplant program. International reference center with over a century of medical excellence.
Clinic Center
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.5/5 | 95 reviews
Medical tourism agency in Istanbul coordinating hair transplant, dental, and cosmetic surgery packages at partner hospitals. All-inclusive packages with hotel and transfers.
Dünyagöz Eye Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.5/5 | 179 reviews
Turkey's first JCI-accredited ophthalmology hospital (2006). Network of 21 branches in Turkey + 8 international. 300 doctors serving 110,000 patients/year from 160+ countries. Pioneer in LASIK, SMILE, bionic eye implants, and corneal cross-linking in Turkey. FDA-approved materials.
EMPHair Clinic
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.8/5 | 199 reviews
Leading hair transplant clinic since 2007 with 50,000+ successful operations, international branches in Dubai, Sweden, Netherlands, UK, and Germany. Pioneered needle-free transplant technique.
Estethica Ataşehir Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey | Rating: 4.6/5 | 82 reviews
JCI-accredited A+ surgical hospital specializing in hair transplant and cosmetic surgery. Proprietary DHI Plus Gold technique for premium hair restoration. 15,000+ international patients/year. 8 operating rooms. Themed luxury patient rooms. 50% savings vs Western Europe.
Lokman Hekim University Ankara Hospital
Ankara, Turkey | Rating: 4.4/5 | 178 reviews
8-storey university hospital in Ankara's Sincan district with 216 beds, 17,500 sqm of facilities, heliport for air ambulance, and comprehensive medical departments. Part of Lokman Hekim Health Group operating since 2008, offering affordable medical care with academic excellence.
Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex
Antalya, Turkey | Rating: 4.6/5 | 345 reviews
JCI-accredited hospital complex in Turkey's Mediterranean coast with 228 beds, advanced oncology center with CyberKnife and TrueBeam, organ transplant center, and comprehensive cardiac surgery department. Part of Liv Hospital and Medical Park Group (MLG) network, Turkey's largest private healthcare chain.
Memorial Ankara Hospital
Ankara, Turkey | Rating: 4.7/5 | 387 reviews
The largest private hospital in Turkey's capital with 42,000 sqm of facilities, 230 beds, 60 ICU beds, 11 operating rooms, and 63 polyclinics. Features 256-slice CT, wide-bore MRI for claustrophobic patients, and LED-lit operating rooms. Integrated with Memorial Health Group's digital network for multi-campus expert consultations.