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How flap-based laser vision correction works, who it suits, what it costs abroad and what recovery really looks like.
Written by our medical board, reviewed quarterlyUpdated 21 January 19709 min read
Who LASIK is for and why people travel
LASIK is the most widely performed laser vision correction procedure in the world. It treats short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, so that light focuses correctly on the retina without glasses or contact lenses.
Good candidates are usually over eighteen with a stable prescription, healthy eyes, and corneas thick enough to treat safely. Many patients travel to high-volume laser centres, including established clinics in Turkey and other hubs, because the same femtosecond and excimer laser platforms used at home are available there at a noticeably lower price. The procedure is quick and the appeal is obvious, but the decision should still rest on whether your specific eyes are suitable.
How LASIK works compared with other laser options
LASIK is a two-step procedure. The surgeon first creates a thin hinged flap in the surface of the cornea, traditionally with a blade but now usually with a femtosecond laser in what is called bladeless or all-laser LASIK. The flap is lifted, an excimer laser reshapes the tissue underneath, and the flap is laid back into place where it seals without stitches.
The defining feature of LASIK is that flap, which is what gives it such fast, comfortable recovery. It is the key difference from surface procedures such as PRK and LASEK, which remove the outer layer rather than creating a flap, and from SMILE, which removes a small lens-shaped piece of tissue through a tiny incision and makes no flap at all. Each approach has trade-offs in recovery speed, comfort and suitability for thinner corneas.
What a LASIK package includes and what it costs
LASIK abroad typically falls in a broad band of roughly 1,000 to 2,000 euro for both eyes, depending on the laser platform and how much customisation, such as wavefront or topography-guided treatment, is used. Newer platforms and more tailored treatments sit at the upper end.
A proper package should cover the full pre-operative assessment, the surgeon's fee, the laser treatment itself, post-operative eye drops, and at least the first follow-up visits. Ask specifically whether a touch-up or enhancement procedure is included if your vision is slightly under-corrected, since a small number of patients need one. A very low headline price sometimes reflects an older laser or excludes the enhancement that would otherwise cost extra.
Choosing a surgeon for LASIK
Choose a board-certified ophthalmologist who performs LASIK in high volume, at a hospital or clinic with recognised accreditation such as JCI, TEMOS or ISO. Ask which laser they use, how they decide between LASIK and a surface procedure, and what their enhancement rate is.
A trustworthy surgeon will sometimes tell you that you are not a good LASIK candidate, for example if your corneas are too thin, your prescription is unstable, or screening suggests a risk of corneal weakening. Insist on a thorough work-up that includes corneal topography and thickness mapping. Treat any clinic that confirms you for LASIK before this testing, or that pressures you to book on the day, as a red flag.
Recovery and timeline
LASIK recovery is fast, which is one of its main attractions. Vision is often usable within a day, and many people return to desk work and driving within one to three days. You will use lubricating and antibiotic drops for a couple of weeks and should avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming and dusty environments while the flap settles.
Vision can fluctuate and feel dry during the first few weeks before stabilising. Plan to stay near the clinic for at least the first day or two so the flap and early healing can be checked, and arrange an eye doctor at home who can review you afterwards. Most patients reach their final, stable result within one to three months.
Risks and what if something goes wrong
In experienced hands LASIK is very safe, but it is still surgery on the eye. The most common side effects are temporary dry eye and night-time glare or halos, which usually improve over weeks to months. Less commonly, vision can be under- or over-corrected, sometimes needing an enhancement.
The flap introduces specific risks that surface procedures avoid, such as flap wrinkling or displacement after an eye injury, and inflammation under the flap. Serious sight-threatening complications such as infection are rare but possible. The most important long-term concern is corneal weakening, which good pre-operative screening is designed to prevent by excluding at-risk eyes. Make sure you know before you travel who will manage any complication and whether revision is covered.
Frequently asked
Does LASIK hurt?
The eye is numbed with drops, so the procedure itself is painless, though you feel pressure during the flap creation. Afterwards there is mild grittiness and watering for a day or so, which is much milder than surface laser procedures.
How quickly will I see after LASIK?
Most people notice clearer vision within hours and have usable sight by the next day. Vision keeps refining over the following weeks as the eye heals.
Am I too short-sighted for LASIK?
LASIK treats a wide range of prescriptions, but very high short-sightedness or thin corneas may make a surface procedure or a lens-based option safer. Only corneal measurements can decide this.
Will I still need reading glasses?
LASIK corrects distance vision but does not stop age-related loss of near focus. If you are over forty-five you may still need reading glasses, or you can discuss alternatives such as monovision with your surgeon.
Is LASIK permanent?
The corneal reshaping is permanent, but your eyes can still change with age, including natural near-vision loss and cataract later in life. A small number of people need an enhancement to fine-tune the result.
How long after LASIK can I fly home?
Many surgeons allow flying after the first follow-up check, often a day or two later. Confirm with your own surgeon, as they will want to verify the flap is settling well before you travel.
