# Eye Laser Treatments

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/treatments/eye-laser-treatments

**Author:** Opr. Dr. Nail Sönmez | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Mehmet Ali Özdil | **Date:** 2026-09-16

> **Summary:** Laser eye treatment reshapes the cornea with a laser beam to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, and largely ends dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The refractive method (iLASIK, ReLEx SMILE PRO, LASEK, PRK or No Touch) is chosen by eye structure and prescription; Argon, YAG and SLT lasers treat other eye conditions.

## Quick Facts
- **Operation duration:** 5-10 minutes for both eyes (iLASIK); the laser itself works a few seconds to half a minute per eye
- **Anaesthesia:** topical eye drops
- **Back to daily life and work:** 1 day (usually the next day) after iLASIK and SMILE; 3-4 days after surface laser (LASEK/PRK)
- **Discharge:** home the same day, first check-up the next day
- **Prices:** iLASIK and No Touch £550 per eye; ReLEx SMILE PRO £995 per eye

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## Refractive Laser Methods
- **iLASIK:** bladeless, personalised; a femtosecond laser creates a corneal flap, the excimer laser reshapes the cornea by the patient's measurements, the flap is laid back without stitches. Short recovery.
- **ReLEx SMILE PRO:** a thin lenticule is created inside the cornea and removed through a 2-4 mm incision; no flap.
- **LASEK / PRK / No Touch:** classical surface laser methods used for more than 30 years. In PRK the epithelium is removed and grows back within a few days; in LASEK it is loosened, moved aside and laid back after the laser.

Refractive surgery has been used since the 1980s. Myopia is excess refractive power, hypermetropia too little, and astigmatism unequal power across the eye's quadrants.

## Other Eye Lasers
- **Argon laser:** blue-green wavelength, mainly for retinal diseases; heat treats a precise area without damaging surrounding tissue.
- **YAG laser:** clears posterior capsule clouding after cataract surgery by making a small opening; the laser works a few seconds and the whole procedure takes 1-2 minutes. This clouding is the most common late consequence of cataract surgery, not a sign of a failed operation and not dangerous.
- **SLT:** treats high eye pressure by improving fluid drainage; can lower intraocular pressure by up to 30%; completed within minutes.

## Who It Suits
- People with a prescription who need glasses and do not want them, at any prescription, if the eye structure is suitable.
- The method is chosen after pre-laser examinations of eye structure and prescription.

## Prices (Turkey 2026)
The price depends on the underlying cause and the procedure; the plan is set after examination.

| Procedure | Price (Per Eye) |
| :--- | :--- |
| iLASIK | £550 |
| No Touch laser | £550 |
| ReLEx SMILE PRO | £995 |

## Technologies and Devices
- **iDesign Advanced WaveScan Studio:** records refractive error at over 1,200 points, corneal topography and pupil metrics in one scan; the map guides the excimer laser.
- **iTrace:** separates refractive error from the cornea and the natural lens; helps decide between laser and lens replacement and choose a trifocal lens.
- **ZEISS VisuMax 800:** femtosecond laser for ReLEx SMILE PRO; lenticule cutting under 10 seconds per eye, with eye tracking.
- **ZEISS VISUMAX 500:** the femtosecond laser on which ReLEx SMILE was developed; curved interface spreads pressure.
- **IntraLase iFS 150 kHz:** creates the iLASIK flap blade-free in seconds at the set thickness and shape; part of the Johnson & Johnson Vision iLASIK platform.
- **FEMTO LDV Z8:** mobile femtosecond laser for corneal and cataract surgery; low pulse energy, high repetition rate; can raise a flap, open the lens capsule and fragment the lens.
- **VISX STAR S4 IR Excimer:** iLASIK's second step; reshapes the cornea with micron precision and infrared eye tracking; wavefront-guided with iDesign.

## Risks and Possible Side Effects
- **Temporary dry eye:** common in the first months; artificial tears help.
- **Halos and glare at night:** first weeks, usually disappear.
- **Under or over correction:** an enhancement can be done in suitable eyes.
- **Infection:** very rare; prevented with prescribed drops and hygiene.

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## The Treatment Journey

### Before Treatment
- Stop hard contact lenses 2 weeks and soft lenses 5 days before.
- Wear comfortable clothes and no make-up on the day; working patients are advised to take a few days off.

### During Treatment
- Anaesthetic drops, eyelids held open; no pain. No bleeding, as the cornea has no blood vessels.

### After Treatment
- Flap methods (Intralase-LASIK, LASIK): stinging and watering for up to 6 hours.
- LASEK and PRK: pain may be felt in the first 3 days; a protective contact lens is applied to reduce it.
- Take medication regularly; sunglasses recommended.
- Sports such as hiking, cycling and aerobics and flying are allowed; no pool or sea for about 20 days.
- Cosmetic coloured lenses after the first month if desired.

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## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: Can astigmatism be treated with laser?**
A: Yes, along with myopia and hyperopia.

**Q: I have a low prescription, can I have laser?**
A: Yes, at any prescription needing glasses, if the eye structure is suitable.

**Q: Will I wear glasses after laser?**
A: Most patients do not. Prescriptions of 0.5 dioptres and below do not require glasses, and a residual error in this range is considered a success.

**Q: Will my prescription come back?**
A: After 10-15 years a small new prescription of around -0.50 or -0.75 can develop, but the old high prescription does not return.

**Q: Can I have cataract surgery after laser?**
A: Yes. Laser surgery does not prevent any future eye treatment.

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## References
- LASIK: Laser Eye Surgery, AAO
- Photorefractive Keratectomy, EyeWiki (AAO)
- Photorefractive (laser) surgery for the correction of refractive errors (IPG164), NICE