LASIK / vision correction abroad: complete patient guide
Both eyes, laser or lens-based. Short stay, rapid recovery. What it involves, what it costs, and the questions to ask before you book.
- Average cost£900–£1,700
- Recovery24–48 hours
- Outcome96% reach 20/25 or better
- Top destinationsTurkey, UAE, India
What lasik / vision correction involves
Laser vision correction reshapes the cornea to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. LASIK creates a corneal flap; SMILE and surface treatments such as PRK do not. For higher prescriptions or thin corneas, an implantable lens may be recommended instead.
It is the fastest-recovering procedure in medical travel — most patients see well the next day. That makes it well suited to a short trip, provided the pre-operative assessment is thorough enough to confirm you are a candidate at all.
Who it is for
For adults with a stable prescription for at least twelve months, adequate corneal thickness and healthy eyes.
- Stable prescription for 12 months or more
- Adequate corneal thickness on topography
- Healthy eyes with no significant dry eye or keratoconus
- Aged 21 or over, generally
- ✕Keratoconus or suspicious corneal topography
- ✕Significant untreated dry eye
- ✕Unstable prescription, pregnancy or breastfeeding
- ✕Certain autoimmune conditions affecting healing
How the procedure works
Full assessment
Corneal topography, thickness, pupil size, tear film and dilated retinal examination. This determines candidacy.
Technique selection
LASIK, SMILE, PRK or implantable lens, based on prescription and corneal measurements.
Procedure
Around ten minutes per eye under topical anaesthetic. You are awake throughout.
Same-day review
A check a few hours later, then again the following morning.
Drop regime
Antibiotic and steroid drops for several weeks, plus lubricants for longer.
Risks and complications
Dry eye is the most common issue and can persist for months. Night vision disturbance — halos and starbursts — affects a minority, particularly with large pupils. Under- or over-correction may require an enhancement. Serious sight-threatening complications are rare but include infection and corneal ectasia.
- !Dry eye, common and sometimes lasting months
- !Halos, glare and starbursts at night
- !Under- or over-correction requiring enhancement
- !Flap complications, specific to LASIK
- !Corneal ectasia — rare, serious, and why screening matters
Cost by destination
Indicative pricing for lasik / vision correction runs from £900–£1,700 depending on destination, clinic and case complexity. Figures below are indicative estimates for comparison and have not yet been independently verified. They are not quotes, and they exclude flights, accommodation and any aftercare once you are home.
Always ask a clinic to itemise in writing what a quoted price includes and, more importantly, what it excludes. A quote that cannot survive that question is not a quote.
Recovery timeline
Day of surgery
Blurred, watery and light-sensitive for several hours. Rest with eyes closed.
Day 1
Most patients see well enough to function. Review appointment before flying.
Week 1
Vision sharpens. No swimming, eye rubbing or eye makeup.
Weeks 2–4
Night vision disturbance settles for most patients.
Months 3–6
Final refractive stability. Enhancement, if needed, is considered here.
Choosing a clinic
The assessment matters more than the laser. Ask how long the pre-operative workup takes — a thorough one is 60 to 90 minutes and includes topography. A clinic offering same-day assessment and surgery on arrival is compressing the step that keeps you safe. Ask what proportion of patients they turn down; a clinic that never declines anyone is not screening.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have the assessment and surgery on the same day?
Some clinics offer it, and we would advise against it. Same-day pathways discourage the clinic from declining you, and you have no time to consider the findings.
When can I fly after LASIK?
Usually 24 to 48 hours, after the day-one review. Cabin air is very dry, so use lubricating drops generously on the flight.
Will I still need glasses?
Most patients no longer need glasses for distance. Reading glasses are still likely from your mid-forties, since laser correction does not prevent presbyopia.
Is SMILE better than LASIK?
SMILE avoids a corneal flap and may cause less dry eye, but treats a narrower range of prescriptions. Suitability depends on your measurements.
What if I need an enhancement?
Around 5 per cent of patients do. Ask whether enhancement is included, for how long, and whether return travel is covered — it usually is not.
This guide has been researched and written from published clinical sources, but has not yet been reviewed by a registered clinician, and the cost estimates have not yet been independently verified. Our editorial policy explains our review standard and current status.
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