# Laser Eye Surgery Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/laser-eye-surgery > **Summary:** Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea so the eye focuses on its own, removing the need for glasses. Kudret Eye in Istanbul offers iLASIK, PRK (No Touch) and ReLEx SMILE PRO; which one suits a patient is decided by corneal thickness and shape measured on the morning of surgery, not by preference. ## Quick Facts - **Operation duration:** 5-10 minutes in total for both eyes - **Anaesthesia:** anaesthetic (numbing) drops, patient stays awake - **Both eyes:** usually treated in the same session - **Check-up:** the next morning; patients can fly home after that check - **Stay in Istanbul:** most patients stay 3 nights for laser, which the accommodation in the price covers - **Age guidance:** laser offered up to the age of forty-five --- ## How the Trip Works - Patients are collected from IST or SAW airport and sleep at the hospital; transfer and room are included, nothing is paid before arrival. - The next morning: measurement of corneal thickness, topography, pupil size and tear film. No method is chosen before these are read. - If the cornea is suitable, surgery is the same day. - If measurements rule laser out, the patient is told at the examination before paying anything; the alternative is usually a lens procedure rather than a different laser. ## The Three Laser Methods - **iLASIK (Femto-LASIK):** a femtosecond laser lifts a thin flap, the tissue underneath is reshaped and the flap is laid back. Vision is usable by the next morning. The method most patients receive. - **PRK and No Touch:** no flap; the surface layer is removed and regrows over several days. Recovery is slower and less comfortable, but the cornea keeps its full thickness: suited to thin corneas and to eyes exposed to impact (boxing, martial arts, contact sport). - **ReLEx SMILE PRO:** reshaping happens inside the cornea and the tissue leaves through an opening of two to four millimetres. No flap, and dry eye afterwards is less common. Corrects myopia and astigmatism. Topography decides which method is possible. ## Who It Suits (Age) - Laser corrects distance and leaves the natural lens alone, which works while the lens is still flexible, roughly up to forty to forty-five. - Laser is offered up to the age of forty-five; a lens procedure is suggested from forty onwards, as it addresses distance, reading and a future cataract in one operation. Between forty and forty-five both are discussed; this is guidance and the measurements decide. - Short-sighted people can read by removing their glasses; laser spends this reserve, so reading glasses may arrive sooner, sometimes within months rather than years. ## Prices (Turkey 2026) All packages include accommodation (3 nights), three meals a day, round-trip airport transfers, doctor examination, all eye tests, surgery control and payment on site. | Procedure | Price (Per Eye) | Method | Also included | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | iLasik (most chosen) | £550 | Femto Lasik (iDesign) | Lasik laser surgery | | No Touch/PRK/LASEK (contact-free) | £550 | PRK | PRK laser surgery | | ReLEx SMILE PRO | £995 | SMILE PRO | Both eyes: 1,990 £; SMILE laser surgery | - Prices include airport transfers from IST or SAW and back, numbing drops and a guarantee for iLasik. - Accommodation: free in the clinic, 3 nights for laser (4 for lens surgery, 7 for ICL) with three meals a day; a partner hotel is available, and own accommodation reduces the package price. - No prepayment; payment on site after examination. Credit cards accepted, but international banks may add a 5% to 10% commission. - If surgery does not go ahead, only the examination, the eye tests carried out, the airport transfer and the nights actually stayed are paid. Flights are not included. ## Technologies and Devices - **Johnson & Johnson STAR S4 IR excimer laser with iDesign:** personalised laser treatment. - **ZEISS VisuMax 800:** used for ReLEx SMILE PRO. - **Diagnostics:** Pentacam corneal mapping, iTrace aberrometry (also simulates expected vision), corneal thickness, eye pressure, retina examination, pupil size, dry eye assessment, refraction and eye dominance. ## About the Hospital - Eye care group since 2002 with 4 hospitals; more than 3 million patients examined. - Senior surgeons with 25+ to 32 years of experience and more than 90,000 procedures between them; Op. Dr. Nail Sönmez (Chief Surgeon) has 32 years and more than 53,000 cases; Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil (lead lens surgeon) has 28 years and more than 38,000 operations. - ISO-certified hospital in Acıbadem, Kadıköy (Asian side of Istanbul); 24 private ensuite rooms, companion can stay on a sofa bed. - Language support: English, German, Dutch, Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian and Turkish, before, during and after treatment. --- ## The Treatment Journey ### Before Treatment - Free assessment before travel by WhatsApp or email; final suitability confirmed in Istanbul. - Stop soft contact lenses at least 5 to 7 days before the examination. - Bring passport, current glasses, previous eye reports, medication list and sunglasses. ### During Treatment - Eyes numbed with drops; slight pressure, usually no pain. Laser treatment takes 5 to 10 minutes in total for both eyes (lens surgery around 15 to 20 minutes per eye). ### After Treatment - Rest in the hospital room; check-up next morning. - Most patients fly home 24 to 48 hours after surgery; cabin pressure and airport scanners do not affect the eyes. - Desk work within 1 to 3 days; no eye make-up for about a week; no pools or sea for about 20 days. - Follow-up by WhatsApp; a local optometrist can do routine checks. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Which laser will I get?** A: It depends on corneal thickness and topography measured before surgery; iLASIK is the most common, PRK suits thin corneas or contact sports, SMILE PRO avoids a flap. **Q: Is it painful?** A: The eye is numbed with drops; most patients feel slight pressure but no pain. **Q: Are both eyes treated on the same day?** A: For laser, usually yes, in the same session. Both eyes can also be treated on separate trips. **Q: What if I am not suitable?** A: No surgery is performed and the package price does not apply; usually a lens procedure is the alternative. **Q: Can I decide not to go ahead after my examination?** A: Yes. The final decision is always yours. **Q: Why is the price lower than in the UK and Europe?** A: Staff, premises, tax and insurance costs are lower in Turkey and higher volumes use equipment more efficiently; the technology is the same.