Laser Eye Surgery in Turkey

Laser eye surgery or Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a procedure in which a laser is used underneath a corneal flap (in situ) in order to reshape the cornea (keratomileusis). This procedure can be used to correct some kinds of refractive errors and other eye problems.

In this, a highly specialized laser called excimer laser is utilized to treat the condition and improve vision or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. The laser procedure alters the shape of the cornea, the transparent covering in the front of the eye. The LASIK technology is a safe and trusted treatment that has been tested for many years.

It frees a person from their dependency on glasses and contact lenses for clear vision, thereby improving the quality of life. Millions of people worldwide have undergone LASIK and are enjoying a hassle-free life without eyeglasses or contact lenses. 

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LASIK in Turkey

Turkey is a hot-spot for advanced healthcare facilities. Every year, thousands of foreign patients from all parts of the globe travel to Turkey in order to avail the best medical treatment. There are several eye clinics and hospital eye centers that offer LASIK surgery in Turkey. They cater to international patients on a regular basis. 

Choosing to have your Laser eye surgery in Turkey can be the best option due to many reasons:

  • High-end hospital and eye centers: The major cities in Turkey such as Istanbul have many top-rated hospitals with JCI and other international accreditation. They offer superior quality of services and safe treatment with providing holistic care to the patients. 
  • Availability of the latest technological advancements: The best eye hospitals in Turkey are certified centers of excellence equipped with the most modern instruments for the procedures. They use the latest laser technology to provide patients the benefit of faster recovery and better vision with LASIK.
  • Experienced doctors: LASIK surgery in Turkey is performed by highly qualified medical professionals who have trained at the best institutions of the country and abroad. They have vast experience in using different types of techniques for eye surgery and handling international cases. The eye doctors in Turkey are not only knowledgeable and skilled but also compassionate and caring towards the patients.  
  • Relatively lower laser eye surgery cost in Turkey: This is one of the major benefits for medical travelers. The low-cost packages offered by the Turkey hospitals enable foreign patients to save a significant amount on the overall treatment, even after including the expenses of traveling and accommodation. 
  • No waiting time: Patients do not need to wait to undergo treatment with an eye laser in Turkey. As soon as the initial medical examination is done and the patient is deemed fit for the surgery, the doctor can schedule the surgery at the earliest convenience. 
  • Traveling options: Turkey is a popular tourist attraction. Its rich historic and cultural background along with natural scenic beauty attracts numerous tourists. Medical travelers often plan their treatment in a way to incorporate holiday time and visit tourist places.

Factors that affect the Lasik surgery cost in Turkey

LASIK Turkey price is comparatively lower than that of several countries, including the USA, Australia and most the European countries. This makes it a very lucrative option for international patients. However, the overall LASIK eye surgery cost in Turkey may vary depending on certain factors. Some of these are:

  • Type of laser eye surgery
  • Location of the hospital
  • Standard of the medical center – accreditation, infrastructure and facilities
  • Experience of the surgeon
  • Additional treatments, if needed 

To know more about the laser eye surgery Turkey price or get precise quotes from the best hospitals, share your query or contact us at care@lyfboat.com. Lyfboat is an accredited platform that connects you to the top specialists in your preferred destination. Our team will guide and assist you throughout the process, from visa and travel plan to accommodation and booking appointments. We strive to ensure that international patients get the best treatment and excellent quality of services. 

What to expect during the laser eye surgery in Turkey?

Day 1

Arrival in Istanbul.

Transport to the hotel from airports in Istanbul (IST and SAW) Airport.

Check in and rest at Hotel. City-tour is also possible.

Day 2

Appointment at the eye clinic/hospital.

Consultation with the doctor – screenings and medical examination

Laser eye surgery procedure 

Recovery period in the hospital under medical team’s observation 

Travel back to hotel and rest

Day 3

Post-op check-up at the clinic.

Travel back to the hotel or directly to the airport

Return flight can be schedules for the 3rd or 4th day 

How can Lyfboat assist you getting Laser eye surgery in Turkey?

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Lyfboat is a free advisory platform; we do not charge any fees from patients. In fact, we negotiate the price that Indian hospitals offer. In some cases we are able to reduce the cost by negotiating upto 20% of what Hospitals generally offer. We advise the best treatment from the top hospital/surgeon at best price.

Laser eye surgery 

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis or laser eye surgery has become one of the most popular eye surgeries. It has benefited millions of people who wanted to get rid of their eyeglasses or contact lenses. The procedure is done with one or more kinds of laser, have a quick recovery and the least discomfort during the recovery period.

LASIK for laser eye surgery is the most popular procedure. The majority of people have a clear vision from the very next day after the procedure. The advancement in laser technology has made it now a blade-free laser eye surgery option. This is because two lasers are used to reshape the cornea, and the blade is not used at all during the operation. 

During the conventional laser eye procedure, a precise, thin hinged corneal flap is created using a microkeratome. Then the flap is pulled back to expose the underlying corneal tissue, followed by the excimer laser ablation to reshape the cornea. The reshaping is planned and designed in a unique pre-specified pattern for each patient. The surgeon then gently repositions the flap onto the underlying cornea. There is no need for sutures. 

In LASIK surgery, a femtosecond laser is now more frequently used to create multiple (millions) of small gas bubbles that all join together to the shape of the superficial flap. This is an infrared laser that is used at a wavelength of 1053 nm. This laser is silent and the step takes less than 15 seconds to complete a flap. Then the second laser – an excimer laser – is used to reshape the cornea under the flap. 

For correction of myopia, the excimer laser is used to flatten the curvature of the cornea while in hyperopia, the laser is used to steepen the cornea. This laser emits a cool beam of ultraviolet light of 193 nm and ablates the corneal tissue. The excimer laser can be heard by the patient during the treatment, which may take 5 seconds to 25 seconds to complete depending on the need and condition. For the entire procedure, the patient may spend 15-20 min in the laser room. 

Need for Laser eye surgery 

LASIK surgery can be an option for treatment or correction of the following vision problems:

  • Myopia or Nearsightedness: The person can see the objects that are close fairly clearly, but not the ones that are far away. This occurs when the eyeball is slightly longer than normal or due to too sharp a curve of the cornea, light rays focus on the front of the retina and blur the distant vision. 
  • Hyperopia or Farsightedness: The person does not have a clear near vision, and sometimes distant vision is also blurry. This occurs when the eyeball is shorter than the average or the cornea is too flat. The light focuses behind the retina instead of on it. 
  • Astigmatism: This condition is caused when the cornea curves or flattens unevenly. In astigmatism, the focus of near and distant vision is disrupted.

Suitable candidates for Laser eye surgery

In general, ideal candidates for LASIK surgery are those who are at least 18 years old and have not experienced any changes in the refractive error within the last year. However, the decision to perform a LASIK surgery depends on the results of a detailed eye exam.

The medical team assess the thickness, grade and biomechanical strength of the cornea during the eye laser examination. The doctor also examines the eye and general health to determine whether there is any condition that may raise the risk of the surgery.

One such problem could be keratoconus, a progressive eye disease characterized by bending forward and thinning of the cornea, the transparent layer in the eye. Other conditions such as cataracts or dry eye syndrome may also lead to contraindications.

The medical team will also assess whether the patient is cross-eyed and perform a detailed retinal examination to check whether there are any cracks or holes in the retina. In case the candidate has cracks and/or holes in the retina, a retinal specialist must be consulted to treat the condition. 

LASIK in Turkey is performed using an excimer laser and femtosecond lasers for the treatment of astigmatism, myopia and hyperopia. The doctors with specialized training in the field of laser and intraocular lens surgery perform laser eye surgery. 

The patient’s suitability for laser surgery and choice of the type of laser procedure is determined after a detailed examination.

Presently, a LASIK surgery can be used to treat myopia with a diopter value below 10 while for astigmatism and hyperopia, a value below 6. This means the procedure is suitable for people who are 20 – 65 years old, and have glasses strength from -10.00 to +5.00. Patients of 40 years of age or more may consider other procedures called Laser Blended Vision (LBV). For people with glasses strength that is higher than the suitable limit for LASIK, Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA) or an ICL might be considered.

Not suitable for LASIK eye surgery in Turkey

A LASIK surgery cannot be performed in the following cases:

  • Patients who have structural defects of the cornea such as keratoconus, corneal dystrophy (the cornea is genetically cloudy) or other
  • Corneal thickness is insufficient for the surgery
  • Severe dry eye syndrome 
  • Eye pressure or glaucoma condition

Laser eye surgery is also not recommended if the candidate has uncontrolled diabetes, diseases of connective tissue such as rheumatism, or HIV-positive patients. Also, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not undergo laser eye surgery as their hormones may have an effect on the cornea.

Before the laser eye surgery

During the evaluation, the eye doctor will ask the patient about their medical and surgical history and conduct a comprehensive eye examination to evaluate the vision. They will also assess whether the patient is eligible to undergo the procedure safely.

The doctor measures the cornea, and assesses its shape, contour, thickness, and if there are any irregularities. The laser eye surgery team will also identify the areas of the cornea that needs reshaping and design the laser treatment considering the precise amount of tissue to remove from the cornea.

Generally, wavefront-guided technology is used to evaluate the eye in detail before laser surgery. In this, a scanner is used to create a detailed chart, which looks similar to a topographic map, of the eyeball. Other sophisticated systems are also used to take the measurements in more detail and more accurately so that the eye doctor can accurately remove the corneal tissue.

It is advisable to not wear contact lenses for some days before the procedure, as it can change the shape of the cornea. The patient may only wear eyeglasses for at least a few days before the evaluation and surgery. 

During the LASIK eye surgery

The eye doctor and medical team will give specific instructions for the day of the LASIK surgery. Female patients are advised not to wear make-up or sunscreen. As the operation is performed using topical anesthetics (drops), the patient will not need to fast before it. 

Laser surgery is a painless procedure, but the feeling of slight pressure may remain for a short time during and after the procedure. The operation is performed for both the eyes in the same sitting. 

Common stages of the laser eye surgery procedure are:

  • The eye is numbed using anesthetic drops and the eyelids, as well as surrounding area, are disinfected. It is then covered with an adhesive sterile blanket. 
  • The eyelids are opened with the help of a device, to keep the eyes open during the operation. 
  • An automatic device called a microkeratome or laser might be used to create a fine flap of the cornea. The flap is then lifted. A vacuum is applied to the eye at this step, and the patient will not be able to see anything for a short time. 
  • The excimer laser is used to reshape the corneal tissue under the flap. The corneal flap is then placed back on the shaped cornea. The patient is usually asked to focus on a point of light. This might help keep the eye fixed while the doctor works with the laser to reshape the cornea. A distinct odor can also be smelled as the laser removes the corneal tissue, which may be similar to the smell of burning hair.
  • A programmed laser reshapes the parts of the cornea and each pulse of the laser beam removes a tiny amount of corneal tissue. After the cornea is reshaped according to the plan, the flap is put back into place. There is no need for stitches and the flap usually heals on its own. The device holding the eyelids open during the surgery is also removed. The procedure lasts for about a total of 10-15 min for both eyes.
  • The patient is given antibiotic eye drops and some painkillers to help with the discomfort. 

After LASIK surgery

Laser eye surgery is usually performed as outpatient procedure and the patient can leave the same day after the surgery. Before discharge, the surgeon will give instructions about post-operative care. There might be a burning sensation, stinging or pain in the eyes, or a watery or cloudy vision 3-4 hours after the operation.

A follow-up visit will be scheduled for the next day after the laser eye surgery. Patient may use protection goggles on the day of the operation. The doctor will prescribe eye drops with antibiotics and cortisone and lubrication that will be continued for a few weeks.

It is advisable to not rub eyes or shower or bath within the first 24 hours post surgery. Most patients resume their daily lives after 24 hours or a rest for 2 days. 

Risks and complications after LASIK surgery

  • Accumulation of blood in the eye: This may occur due to the vacuum that is applied during the operation. It disappears on its own within 1 month after the surgery. This does not cause eye pain.
  • Diffuse lamellar keratitis: An allergic reaction which can be treated with the eye drops or an eye wash with serum.
  • Dry eyes: Dryness in the eye may occur for the first six months or so after the surgery, due to a temporary decrease in tear production. It can reduce the quality of your vision. This is managed with teardrops. 
  • Ectasia: This is a condition that develops in eyes when they have been treated with a laser even though the corneal thickness and topography are not suitable for this procedure. It may also, very rarely, occur after a laser surgery that has been performed for the adequate corneal thickness and structure.
  • Vision problems: Some people may notice increased light sensitivity, glare, halos around bright lights or double vision, or difficulty seeing at night after surgery. It is a temporary condition which may last a few days to a few weeks. 
  • Under correction of the refractive error: This occurs when the laser removes too less tissue from the eye. It may not result into a clearer vision as were hoped for. This is more common for people who have nearsightedness. They may need another LASIK eye procedure within next year to remove more tissue.
  • Over of the refractive error: The laser may remove too much tissue from your eye, resulting in overcorrections. It is more difficult to fix than under corrections.
  • Astigmatism: It can be caused due to uneven removal of the tissue. The patient may need additional surgery, glasses or contact lenses.
  • Problems with the flap: During the surgery, folding back or removing the flap from the front parts of the eye can cause complications. This includes infection and excess tears. It may also cause the outermost corneal tissue layer to grow abnormally underneath the flap while the tissue heals.
  • Regression: This is a condition which occurs when the vision slowly changes back to the original prescription. 
  • Loss or changes in the vision: This is rarely and can be caused by surgical complications 

Elderly patients can undergo a cataract operation after a LASIK surgery, if needed. 

Vanshika Rawat

Written By Vanshika Rawat

Vanshika Rawat is an experienced content developer. She is very knowledgeable in the field of science and healthcare and has worked under brilliant scientists during her higher education. Vanshika obtained her degrees in Masters in Science and Bachelors in Science (Microbiology with Hons.) from renowned institutions - Panjab University and University of Delhi.

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Vanshika Rawat

Written By Vanshika Rawat

Vanshika Rawat is an experienced content developer. She is very knowledgeable in the field of science and healthcare and has worked under brilliant scientists during her higher education. Vanshika obtained her degrees in Masters in Science and Bachelors in Science (Microbiology with Hons.) from renowned institutions - Panjab University and University of Delhi.
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