LASIK Eye Surgery FAQ for International Patients

Planning laser eye surgery in Turkey? Below are answers to common questions about LASIK, ReLEx SMILE, PRK / No-Touch laser treatment, recovery and travelling to Istanbul for treatment.

1. Does LASIK eye surgery hurt?

Anesthetic eye drops are used before laser eye surgery, so most patients experience little or no pain during the procedure. You may notice pressure or unusual sensations while the laser is being used.

Temporary watering, irritation, light sensitivity or a gritty feeling can occur afterward. The type and duration of discomfort also depend on the procedure performed. PRK generally causes more discomfort during the first few days than Femto LASIK or SMILE.

2. How do I know if I am suitable for LASIK?

Suitability cannot be determined from your glasses prescription alone.

Before treatment, the ophthalmologist evaluates factors including:

Prescription stability
Corneal thickness
Corneal shape and topography
Tear-film and dry-eye condition
Pupil size
Overall eye health
Previous eye surgery or disease

Some patients who are not suitable for LASIK may be candidates for another vision correction method such as ReLEx SMILE or PRK.

3. Is LASIK eye surgery safe?

LASIK is an established refractive surgery procedure, but no eye surgery is completely risk-free.

Possible side effects and complications include dry-eye symptoms, glare, halos, fluctuating vision, undercorrection, overcorrection, infection, inflammation and flap-related complications.

Careful patient selection, appropriate surgical planning and post-operative follow-up are important parts of reducing these risks.

4. Will I definitely achieve 20/20 vision?

No specific visual result can be guaranteed before surgery.

The goal of laser vision correction is to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The final result depends on factors such as your original prescription, corneal anatomy, eye health and individual healing response.

Some patients may still require glasses for certain activities or later in life.

5. What is the difference between Femto LASIK, ReLEx SMILE and PRK?

Femto LASIK creates a thin corneal flap using a femtosecond laser before the cornea is reshaped.

ReLEx SMILE corrects vision through a small incision without creating a LASIK flap.

PRK / No-Touch laser treatment reshapes the cornea from the surface without creating a flap, but generally has a slower initial recovery.

There is no single procedure that is best for every patient. The most appropriate technique is selected according to your eye measurements, prescription, lifestyle and clinical findings.

6. How long does laser eye surgery take?

The laser portion of treatment is usually brief, although the total time spent in the clinic is longer because of preparation, examinations and post-treatment checks.

Exact treatment time depends on the procedure being performed and the patient's individual treatment plan.

7. How quickly will my vision improve?

Many LASIK and SMILE patients notice improvement relatively quickly, but vision may fluctuate during the early healing period.

PRK generally has a slower recovery because the surface epithelium of the cornea needs time to regenerate.

Final visual stabilization varies between patients and procedures.

8. How long should international patients stay in Istanbul?

For Femto LASIK or ReLEx SMILE, many international patients plan approximately 4–5 days in Istanbul so that there is time for examination, treatment and an early post-operative check.

PRK patients may require a different schedule because initial surface healing is slower.

Your recommended stay can change according to your examination findings and recovery.

9. Can I fly after LASIK or SMILE?

Many international patients can fly after their early post-operative examination if the ophthalmologist confirms that healing is progressing normally.

During travel, patients should continue prescribed eye drops, avoid rubbing their eyes and follow the aftercare instructions provided by the ophthalmologist.

The appropriate time to fly should be confirmed individually rather than assumed before surgery.

10. When can I return to work?

Many patients can return to light work relatively soon after Femto LASIK or SMILE, although temporary dryness, light sensitivity or fluctuating vision may make screen-based work uncomfortable at first.

PRK generally requires a longer initial recovery period.

Your ophthalmologist will advise you according to the procedure performed and your healing progress.

11. Can I drive immediately after laser eye surgery?

No. You should not plan to drive immediately after the procedure.

Vision may be blurry or fluctuate during early recovery, and your eyes may be sensitive to light. Driving should only be resumed when your vision meets the necessary standard and your ophthalmologist considers it appropriate.

12. When can I wear eye makeup again?

Eye makeup should be avoided during the early healing period to reduce the risk of irritation or contamination.

The appropriate time to restart mascara, eyeliner and other products used around the eyes depends on the procedure and healing progress. Follow the instructions provided at your post-operative examination.

13. Can LASIK results change later in life?

Laser vision correction changes the shape of the cornea to correct the refractive error present at the time of surgery.

However, the eyes can still change naturally with age. Presbyopia, cataracts or later changes in prescription may cause a patient to need glasses again even after successful laser vision correction.

14. Who performs the examination and treatment?

Patients are evaluated by ophthalmologist Dr. Berrin Toksü. A detailed eye examination and corneal assessment are used to determine whether Femto LASIK, ReLEx SMILE, PRK or another option may be appropriate.

The final treatment decision is made after examination rather than solely through an online consultation.

15. Can you tell me which procedure I need before I travel?

We can review your current prescription and discuss possible treatment options before you travel, but this cannot replace the detailed examinations performed in Istanbul.

The final recommendation is made after measurements including corneal assessment and a complete ophthalmological examination.