Laser vision correction abroad

Laser eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery for vision correction performed on the cornea, the front transparent part of the eyeball. The procedure is performed by an ophthalmologist using a laser device. Laser eye surgery abroad is not a life-saving procedure and is performed purely at patients’ request, like plastic surgery on the face or body. People choose laser eye surgery abroad to reduce their dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

Laser vision correction is necessary for patients who don’t like glasses or contact lenses and the inconvenience associated with them. That is, refractive laser eye surgery abroad is not a «treatment» but a correction of some visual impairments:

• hyperopia;
• myopia;
• astigmatism.

Doctors do not perform laser eye surgery for everyone who needs it. The patient must be over 18 years old, have the same level of vision for the last year without changes, not be pregnant or nursing. Also, the patient shouldn`t have serious eye diseases.

An urgent question for all patients is «how to choose a country for laser eye surgery abroad?», «how much does laser eye surgery abroad cost?», and «is it worth going abroad for laser eye surger?». In addition to the chosen clinic and the doctor’s qualifications, the price is also affected by the type of laser procedure selected. 

The most popular and modern types of refractive laser eye surgery abroad are:

• LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis): LASIK is the most common type of laser eye surgery abroad. It involves creating a thin cornea flap, reshaping the underlying tissue with an excimer laser, and repositioning the flap for rapid healing.
• SMILE (small incision lens extraction): SMILE is a minimally invasive procedure that uses femtosecond laser technology to create a small, lens-like piece of tissue in the cornea. This tissue is then removed, reshaping the cornea and correcting myopia. SMILE is the newest laser eye surgery technology abroad.
• PRK (photorefractive keratectomy): PRK is an alternative to LASIK suitable for people with thinner corneas or those not applicable for LASIK. It involves removing the cornea’s surface layer before using an excimer laser to reshape the corneal tissue. Healing takes place within a few days. PRK is the cheapest laser eye surgery procedure abroad (compared to LASIK or SMILE). 

Therefore, when a patient is looking for the best country for eye surgery, they should focus not only on the price but also on the modernity of laser devices and vision correction methods.

The procedure for LASIK laser eye surgery abroad is almost the same everywhere. On the day of surgery, the patient spends 3-4 hours in the clinic. The surgery takes only a few minutes and consists of three stages:

• The doctor uses a microkeratome to create a precise corneal flap. 
• The surgeon then lifts the flap and uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea underneath. The laser beam reshapes the cornea with extreme precision, correcting the specific refractive error. 
• After the cornea is reshaped, the flap returns to its original position and fits naturally without stitches. 

Laser vision correction has become a routine and widespread procedure in the world. To determine where it is better to have laser eye treatment abroad, pay attention to the clinic’s qualifications, the ophthalmologists’ experience, and the number of operations they have performed. For example, the team of doctors at Expert Medical relies on patient reviews of laser eye surgery abroad, the achievements of ophthalmology clinics, and their own experience.

Before the procedure, the doctor instills particular anesthetic drops into the patient’s eyes, which cause a temporary feeling of numbness. During the operation, a person sometimes feels mild pain and sometimes something like a burning sensation, and “the presence of sand or glass” in the eyes. All unpleasant feelings disappear within a few hours when the patient rests at home. After 24 hours, patients do not feel any discomfort, provided they follow the doctor’s postoperative recommendations.

For laser eye surgery abroad, a patient must allocate an average of 7 days. Upon returning home, the patient will not feel anything unusual in the eyes.

After LASIK, the eye begins to heal immediately. The next day, most patients return to their daily lives. If PRK surgery is performed, in which the outer layer of the cornea is removed, healing takes several days.

After all types of laser eye surgery abroad, patients usually receive a prescription for antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops for several weeks. Patients need to favor rest and wear dark glasses to protect their eyes from bright light. Sometimes the doctor puts a transparent shield over the eye after surgery to create additional protection for the cornea during healing. Patients are advised to use artificial tears to moisturize their eyes regularly. Diligent postoperative care minimizes the likelihood of complications. 

Patients should remember that they also participate actively in their treatment, so following all medical recommendations before and after surgery is essential.

When looking for options for laser eye treatment abroad, you need to pay attention to whether the doctor warns you about the possible disadvantages of the procedure. LASIK is a surgical intervention, so weigh the risks and the possibility of postoperative complications. 

After LASIK, almost every patient experiences fluctuations in the quality of vision during the day and dry eyes. As a rule, the condition of the eyes stabilizes within a month. But sometimes symptoms can remain longer than expected. 

Ophthalmologists are always on the side of their patients and emphasize the possible side effects of laser vision correction. This can be itching or pain in the eyes, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, specks in the eyes, or even infection.

The cost of laser eye surgery abroad is less critical than your awareness of eye health and the clinic’s quality.

The results of laser eye correction are predictable. At the initial consultation, the doctor checks the patient’s vision with a device that shows how much the visual acuity can improve after laser surgery. Sometimes the eyes can see 120% and sometimes only 70%. It depends on the individual characteristics of the eyeball structure. 

All people’s vision changes with age toward hyperopia. Therefore, even after laser eye surgery abroad, vision can change over time. But these are natural changes in the eyes. 

Patients who have found a suitable and cheap laser eye surgery abroad should understand their prognosis clearly. Ask your doctor if your expectations are in line with the possible outcome of vision correction.

There are several reasons why people choose to go abroad for laser eye surgery. Let’s take a look at some of the most common motivations behind this decision:

• Saving money. In some countries, the total cost of the procedure, including the surgeon’s fee, clinic fees, and postoperative care, can be significantly lower than in their home countries. Laser eye surgery in Turkey may be a cheaper option for UK or US citizens. Often, health insurance does not cover vision correction, so the cost of laser eye surgery abroad may be more favorable. 
• Advanced technology and experience in laser eye surgery abroad.
• Reduced waiting time. In some countries, the demand for laser eye surgery may exceed the available resources, leading to long waiting periods. Patients can receive faster scheduling and treatment by choosing to get laser eye treatment abroad.
• Privacy and confidentiality. Some patients prefer the anonymity and privacy of laser eye surgery abroad. They may feel more comfortable keeping their medical procedures confidential or want to avoid the possibility of running into acquaintances or work colleagues during the recovery period.
• Combining treatment and travel. Medical tourism allows patients to unite laser eye correction with an unforgettable travel experience. Many countries offering laser eye surgery abroad, such as Turkey or Spain, are popular tourist destinations.

For people considering laser eye surgery abroad, it is important to carefully research and choose clinics and surgeons with a good reputation. Prioritizing the safety, quality, and qualifications of the medical professionals involved is crucial to ensuring a successful outcome. You can find out the pros and cons on your own if you read reviews about laser eye surgery abroad.

Several factors affect the cost of laser eye surgery abroad:

• the country you choose and how far it is from your place of residence;
• the clinic and its qualifications;
• additional services at the medical center, availability of accommodation, transfer and meals;
• preoperative preparation and postoperative care;
• the operation itself.

Before undergoing the procedure, check your insurance company’s policy and find out if you can get coverage for cost laser eye surgery abroad. Therefore, if you choose the cheapest country for laser eye surgery, you can save money, even considering the prices of tickets and accommodation.

Experts Medical selects clinics for laser eye surgery abroad after thoroughly analyzing reviews, treatment effectiveness, doctors’ qualifications, quality, price, and service level. The team of Experts Medical doctors personally checks the clinics that they recommend to their patients. 

If you are looking for cheap laser eye surgery abroad among clinics that work according to international standards, leave a request on the Experts Medical website. The coordinator will contact you as soon as possible, help you select a country, medical center or doctor, find accommodation, or book tickets. Experts Medical services are free, and patients pay only the hospital bill.