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Refractive surgery · Eye treatments

LASIK Eye Surgery in Turkey — Wavefront-guided, Surgeon-led at Eyeglow Istanbul

Femto-LASIK with FDA-approved excimer and femtosecond platforms, performed by our refractive surgical team. Every package includes a written quote, complication insurance, and a year of structured aftercare — from your initial prescription review to your twelve-month follow-up.

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Eye with laser-tracking overlay — Femto-LASIK refractive surgery at Eyeglow Health, Istanbul
Procedure time10–15 min per eye
AnaesthesiaTopical drops
Hospital stayDay case
Functional vision24–48 hours
Time in Istanbul3–4 nights
Follow-up1 year structured

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What it is

What is LASIK eye surgery?

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a refractive eye surgery that uses a femtosecond laser to create a thin corneal flap, followed by an excimer laser that precisely reshapes the underlying corneal tissue. It corrects myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism — typically restoring functional vision within 24–48 hours.

At Eyeglow Health in Istanbul, LASIK is performed as Femto-LASIK using FDA-approved femtosecond platforms (IntraLase / VisuMax class) and excimer laser systems consistent with American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) clinical guidelines. The reshaping pattern is calculated from your individual corneal map — what surgeons call wavefront-guided or topography-guided ablation — not from a generic prescription. This individualised treatment is the difference between predictable refractive outcomes and average ones.

LASIK is suited to most adults with stable myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and astigmatism within a defined range — typically up to −10 D myopia, +6 D hyperopia and 6 D astigmatism. It is not suitable for everyone: thin corneas, severe dry eye, untreated keratoconus, certain autoimmune conditions or pregnancy may make SMILE, PRK or a phakic intraocular lens (ICL) a safer choice. That assessment belongs to a surgeon who has personally reviewed your topography, pachymetry and tear film evaluation — not to a marketing brochure.

How it works

From first consultation to recovery at home

  1. 01

    Online consultation

    You share recent prescription history and any prior eye exams. Our refractive surgical team reviews your case and confirms whether LASIK is the right starting point or further imaging is needed before issuing a quote.

  2. 02

    Pre-operative imaging in Istanbul

    On day 1 in Istanbul: corneal topography, pachymetry, wavefront analysis, dry eye assessment and tear film evaluation. Soft contact lenses stopped one week before; rigid lenses three weeks before.

  3. 03

    Personalised treatment plan

    Our refractive surgical team reviews your imaging and walks you through the proposed treatment, expected outcome range, individual risk profile and aftercare schedule before you sign consent.

  4. 04

    The procedure (10–15 minutes per eye)

    Performed at our partner accredited hospital under topical anaesthetic. Both eyes are treated in the same session in the vast majority of cases.

  5. 05

    Day 1 and day 7 reviews

    You return to the clinic the morning after surgery and again before flying home. Functional vision usually returns within 24–48 hours; protective shields are worn for the first few nights.

  6. 06

    One-year structured aftercare

    Scheduled video reviews at one, three, six and twelve months. Your coordinator stays the same throughout — they do not rotate after your procedure.

Comparison

LASIK vs SMILE vs PRK

The right procedure is matched to corneal anatomy and lifestyle, not chosen as a category label. Here is how the three refractive approaches differ in practice:

AspectLASIKSMILEPRK
Recovery time24–48 hours4–6 days7–14 days
Corneal flapYes (femtosecond)No (lenticule)No (surface)
Suitable for thin corneaLimitedBetterBest
Dry eye riskModerateLowerLower
Athlete / militaryRestrictedPreferredPreferred
Pricing

LASIK pricing

All-inclusive Eyeglow package pricing. Your final, personalised quote is confirmed after imaging review — with no obligation.

Procedure Eyeglow price (all-inclusive)
LASIK Eye Surgery — both eyes, all-inclusivefrom €1,100
Package transparency

What's included in your LASIK package

Included in package

  • Pre-op imaging (topography, pachymetry, wavefront, dry eye, tear film)
  • Surgeon-led consultation (our refractive surgical team)
  • Femto-LASIK procedure (both eyes)
  • 5-star hotel — 4 nights
  • VIP airport transfers (return)
  • All post-op drops + aftercare kit
  • Day-1, day-7, 1m, 3m, 6m, 12m follow-up reviews
  • Complication insurance — covers eligible post-operative medical complications during the recovery period at our partner accredited hospital (issued in line with the Turkish Ministry of Health International Health Tourism Authority Certificate)
  • Multilingual coordinator — 24/7

Paid separately

Items below are not part of the medical package — your coordinator helps you arrange them at no markup.

  • Flights to/from Istanbul
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional enhancement surgeries
  • Unrelated medical treatments
  • Travel insurance (flight cancellation, baggage, general trip cover) — separate from the medical complication policy above; your coordinator can recommend a provider at no markup
Our team

The surgeons who will care for you

Your procedure is carried out by our refractive surgical team at our partner accredited hospital in Istanbul. Their training and sub-specialty focus are shown below.

Medically reviewed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammet Derda Özer, FICO

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammet Derda Özer, FICO

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammet Derda Özer, FICO

Operating Surgeon

Specialises in ocular oncology, vitreoretinal diseases, cataract, refractive, corneal transplantation, glaucoma and pediatric ophthalmic surgery — more than 30,000 ophthalmic operations across a 14-year clinical career.

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Op. Dr. Önder Aslan

Op. Dr. Önder Aslan

Operating Surgeon

Board-certified ophthalmologist whose surgical practice spans anterior-segment procedures with oculoplastic and retinal sub-specialties — cataract, refractive, eyelid surgery and pediatric eye examinations including retinopathy of prematurity.

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Op. Dr. Muhammed Talha Sadık

Op. Dr. Muhammed Talha Sadık

Operating Surgeon

Board-certified ophthalmologist working across vitreoretinal disease, refractive, cataract and glaucoma surgery, with an active anterior- and posterior-segment surgical caseload.

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Candidacy

Is LASIK right for you?

You may be a good candidate if

  • You are over 18 with a stable prescription for at least one year.
  • Your prescription is within an established range (typically up to −10 D myopia, +6 D hyperopia, 6 D astigmatism).
  • Your corneal thickness allows the planned ablation while preserving a safe residual stromal bed.
  • You do not have active corneal disease, advanced dry eye or uncontrolled systemic illness.
  • You are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

A different option may be safer if

  • Cornea thinner than the LASIK planning threshold — PRK or SMILE considered.
  • Signs of keratoconus or other progressive ectasia — cross-linking and intrastromal rings come first.
  • Early cataract above lens-replacement age — refractive lens exchange may be more durable.
  • Severe untreated dry eye — needs management before any refractive surgery.

Disclaimer. Information on this page is consistent with American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) clinical guidelines and FDA-approved refractive procedures. It is educational and is not a clinical recommendation. The only reliable way to know whether LASIK is the right option for you is a surgeon-reviewed evaluation based on your topography, pachymetry, tear film and full ocular examination — which is why our consultation is free of charge and free of obligation. References: AAO Refractive Surgery Preferred Practice Pattern; FDA Refractive Surgery post-market studies; NICE NG181 (UK) guidance on laser eye surgery.

Risks & outcomes

Realistic outcomes — the risks that actually matter

Every refractive procedure has measurable risks. We list them here in the same plain language our surgical team uses in your consultation:

Persistent dry eye

Approx. 5–10% experience dryness beyond three months; managed with tear substitutes and punctal plugs if needed.

Residual refractive error

Around 2–5% may need an enhancement procedure within the first two years.

Glare or halos at night

Typically resolve within 3–6 months as the cornea heals. Lower with wavefront-guided ablation.

Flap-related complications

Very rare (<0.5%) with modern femtosecond platforms. Managed at the time of surgery.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about LASIK

What is LASIK eye surgery and how does it work?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a refractive surgery that reshapes the cornea so light focuses correctly on the retina. A femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap (~110 microns), an excimer laser then removes a precisely calculated layer of underlying corneal stroma, and the flap is repositioned. The reshaping pattern is calculated from your individual corneal topography — not a generic prescription. The whole procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes per eye under topical anaesthetic drops.

Am I a candidate for LASIK?
You are typically considered a LASIK candidate if you are over 18, have had a stable prescription for at least one year, have a corneal thickness suitable for the planned ablation (usually ≥500 microns with a safe residual stromal bed), and have no active corneal disease, advanced dry eye, keratoconus or uncontrolled systemic illness. Suitability is confirmed by topography, pachymetry, wavefront analysis and a tear film evaluation — Our refractive surgical team reviews these results personally before issuing a written care plan. You are not a candidate during pregnancy or breastfeeding (prescriptions fluctuate).

How is LASIK different from SMILE and PRK?
LASIK creates a thin corneal flap and reshapes the underlying tissue with an excimer laser — vision recovers within 24 to 48 hours. SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) is a flap-free technique that extracts a small lenticule through a corneal pocket; it suits slightly thinner corneas or patients with dry eye risk and is preferred for athletes or military personnel. PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) removes the surface epithelium without a flap and is preferred for very thin corneas or specific occupations (police, certain sports). The right procedure is matched to corneal anatomy and lifestyle.

How long does LASIK take and is it painful?
The procedure itself takes 10 to 15 minutes per eye and is performed under topical anaesthetic drops — there are no injections. Most patients describe a sensation of pressure rather than pain. The femtosecond flap creation lasts about 20 seconds per eye; the excimer reshaping takes 20 to 50 seconds. Mild irritation, watering and light sensitivity are common during the first 24 hours and settle with the prescribed drops. A sedative is available if you prefer.

When will I see clearly after LASIK and when can I fly home?
Functional vision usually returns within 24 to 48 hours; reading-distance clarity continues to improve over the first week. Most international patients fly home on day three or four after a post-operative review with the surgeon. Driving and screen work are usually resumed within a week, with protective sunglasses outdoors. Final refractive stability is reached around the three-month mark.

How long do LASIK results last?
For the vast majority of patients, LASIK results are permanent in the sense that the corneal reshaping itself does not reverse. However, age-related vision changes — presbyopia after the mid-40s, and cataract formation later — affect everyone regardless of LASIK. Approximately 2 to 5 percent of patients may need an enhancement procedure within the first two years to fine-tune residual refractive error. Eyeglow Health follow-up reviews at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months are designed to catch this early.

Is LASIK eye surgery safe?
Modern Femto-LASIK has a documented safety profile spanning more than two decades and approximately 40 million procedures worldwide. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) data and FDA post-market studies report serious complication rates below 1 percent. The most common side effects — temporary dry eye, mild glare or halos at night — typically resolve within three to six months. Catastrophic complications such as flap displacement are extremely rare (<0.5%) with modern femtosecond platforms. At Eyeglow Health, every package includes a medical complication insurance policy as additional protection.

Can LASIK correct astigmatism?
Yes. Modern wavefront-guided LASIK corrects astigmatism alongside myopia and hyperopia, typically up to about 6 dioptres of astigmatism. Astigmatic correction is calculated from your topography map, which is more accurate than the cylinder value in a standard glasses prescription. Higher astigmatism (above 6 D) or irregular astigmatism may be better treated with Smart Lens, ICL or — if there is suspicion of subclinical keratoconus — corneal cross-linking first.

How old do I need to be for LASIK?
LASIK is approved from age 18, but the actual decision is based on prescription stability rather than age. Most surgeons require at least 12 months of stable prescription before operating, because LASIK reshapes the cornea to the current refractive error — if the eye is still changing, the result drifts. There is no strict upper age limit, but patients above their mid-40s often have early cataract development; for them, refractive lens exchange (Smart Lens) may be more durable than LASIK.

How much does LASIK cost at Eyeglow?
Eyeglow Health LASIK packages start from €1,100 for both eyes, including 5-star hotel for 4 nights, VIP airport transfers, all post-operative drops, complication insurance, and one year of structured follow-up. Your final, personalised quote is confirmed after imaging review — with no obligation. We use the same femtosecond and excimer platforms used in major international centres.

What are the realistic risks of LASIK?
The risks that matter in practice are: (1) persistent dry eye beyond three months, affecting approximately 5 to 10 percent of patients and managed with tear substitutes or punctal plugs; (2) residual refractive error needing an enhancement, in 2 to 5 percent of cases; (3) night glare or halos, which typically resolve within 3 to 6 months and are reduced by wavefront-guided ablation; and (4) flap-related complications, which are extremely rare with modern femtosecond platforms (<0.5%). Each risk has a measurable rate — our refractive surgical team discusses your individual probability based on tear film, topography and prescription before you commit. Every Eyeglow package includes a medical complication insurance policy.

Why choose Eyeglow Health over marketplace agencies like Bookimed?
Bookimed, Flymedi, Whatclinic and similar marketplaces refer you to multiple clinics and earn a commission per referral — your file rotates between coordinators, and your surgeon is whoever the partner clinic assigns on the day. At Eyeglow Health you speak to one named coordinator from first message to your one-year follow-up, and your case is reviewed by our own refractive surgical team before any quote is issued. We are a specialist eye clinic with a single dedicated pathway — not a multi-procedure marketplace.
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