LASIK eye surgery, explained honestly.
What it really costs abroad, the risks nobody puts in the brochure, who it suits and who it does not, and the questions that keep you safe. We never name a clinic.
vs £1,500 to £3,000 UK
you are awake
settles over weeks
Is it worth going abroad?
LASIK in the UK commonly costs about £1,500 to £3,000 per eye, so roughly £3,000 to £6,000 for both. Abroad, in markets such as Turkey, per eye prices are often quoted from about $800 to $1,500, and the same laser platforms are used. At a properly equipped clinic with a thorough assessment, results are usually very good, but your suitability and the aftercare matter far more than the saving.
Costs below are indicative ranges, reviewed September 2025, and vary by your eyes, the technology used, and what a package includes. They are not a quote and not a promise of a result.
The procedure, in plain terms.
LASIK, or laser in situ keratomileusis, reshapes the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, so that light focuses correctly on the retina and you depend less on glasses or contact lenses. The surgeon creates a thin flap in the cornea, lifts it, reshapes the tissue underneath with a cool beam excimer laser, then lays the flap back. Each eye takes only a few minutes and you are awake with numbing drops. It treats nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism within set ranges.
Who it tends to suit. Adults over 18 with a prescription stable for at least a year, healthy eyes, adequate corneal thickness, and realistic expectations. A full assessment of the cornea and tear film decides this, not your enthusiasm.
Who it tends not to suit. People with thin or irregular corneas, keratoconus, severe dry eye, an unstable or very high prescription, certain eye or autoimmune conditions, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. For some of these a different procedure such as PRK or an implantable lens may be safer.
The price, honestly.
The same laser platforms are used at home and abroad, so a lower price abroad mainly reflects lower running costs and a competitive market, not a different operation. Price is driven by the technology, the thoroughness of the assessment, and what a package includes.
Indicative ranges, reviewed September 2025. Not a quote. A headline price far below the rest of the market often leaves out scans, repeat treatment, or aftercare, so always ask for the all in figure and the currency you are billed in.
US pricing is typically higher again, often a few thousand dollars per eye. For a fuller breakdown see our cost by country guide.
What can go wrong.
LASIK is one of the most studied elective procedures, with high reported satisfaction, often in the region of 95 to 98 percent, and serious complications in fewer than 1 percent of cases. The risks are real all the same, and depend heavily on a careful assessment of your eyes.
Many people have dry, gritty eyes for weeks to months as the cornea heals. It usually settles, but a minority have longer lasting dryness.
Starbursts and halos around lights, especially at night, are common early on and usually fade. They can persist in a small number of people.
Sometimes the result is not quite on target and an enhancement procedure is needed. A thorough assessment lowers this risk.
Because LASIK creates a corneal flap, flap problems are possible though uncommon. Corneal ectasia, a progressive weakening, is rare but serious, which is why corneal thickness and shape are checked carefully first.
Infection after LASIK is uncommon at a clean, accredited clinic but needs prompt treatment if it occurs.
The biggest variable abroad is not the laser, which is often the same platform used at home, but the quality and honesty of the assessment and who performs the surgery. If you are rushed through screening, told yes by email, or cannot confirm the named surgeon, treat that as a serious warning. Follow up and any enhancement are also harder to arrange once you are home.
Six questions before you pay.
A safe clinic answers all six in writing without flinching. Vague answers, pressure to book quickly, and prices far below the market are the warning signs that matter most. We do not name clinics, so use these to judge any you are sent.
Recovery, and what happens once you are home.
First 24 to 48 hours
Vision is often usable the next day. Eyes may feel gritty, watery, and sensitive to light. Use the drops as directed and avoid rubbing your eyes.
First week
Most people return to normal activities within a few days. Avoid swimming, eye makeup, and dusty environments for the period the clinic advises.
1 to 3 months
Vision sharpens and settles. Dry eye, glare, and halos at night usually ease over this time.
Long term
Results are generally stable. A small number of people need an enhancement, and reading glasses may still be needed with age.
If you have persistent dry eye, glare, or a result that is not what you expected, that is hard to manage from another country. Local clinics are often reluctant to take on another provider's enhancement, so agree before you travel exactly how follow up and any enhancement will be handled.
Standard travel insurance rarely covers elective procedures or their complications. Read the policy closely and consider dedicated medical complications cover before you book.
Now you know what to ask, compare safely.
Send one brief and we route it to vetted clinics that meet the standards above. They return tailored plans and all in prices. You choose, with no pressure.
Free and no obligation. Accredited clinics only. We never sell your details.
How we make money: the guides are free and no clinic can pay to be named, ranked or recommended. We never name clinics. Get Matched is an optional service that helps keep the guides free and independent of any one clinic; using it is always your choice and you are never charged. How this works.
The things everyone asks.
Is LASIK abroad safe?
At a properly equipped, accredited clinic with a thorough assessment and a named surgeon, outcomes can match home, and the laser platforms are often identical. The risk lies in rushed screening and unclear responsibility for aftercare, which is what this guide helps you check.
Does LASIK hurt?
Numbing drops mean the procedure itself is not painful, though you feel pressure. For the first day or two afterwards eyes are often gritty, watery, and light sensitive, which settles quickly for most people.
Will I never need glasses again?
Many people become far less dependent on glasses, but no honest clinic guarantees perfect vision forever. Reading glasses are still commonly needed with age, and a small number of people need an enhancement.
How soon can I fly home after LASIK?
Many people can fly within a day or two, but you should confirm timing with the clinic and attend any planned check before you leave. Dry cabin air can aggravate early dryness.
What if my vision is not right afterwards?
Some results need an enhancement, which is harder to arrange from abroad. Agree before you travel who is responsible for follow up and any further treatment, and get it in writing.
Where to go next.
LASIK cost by country
Guide liveThe indicative price ranges, what drives them, and why abroad differs from home.
Eye surgery abroad safety
Guide liveThe reference guide on staying safe when you travel for treatment on your eyes.
How to choose safely
On this pageThe six questions that separate a safe clinic from a risky one, and the red flags.
You can also Get Matched with a vetted clinic or browse all procedures.
Subscribe to The Second Opinion.
One short, honest dispatch a week. A cost reality, a safety question, and one thing to ask before you book anything.
Compare how LASIK works in each country, what it tends to cost, and the local risks to weigh. Indicative and informational. We never name a clinic.
What it costs, the real risks, and how to choose safely in Croatia.
What it costs, the real risks, and how to choose safely in Germany.
What it costs, the real risks, and how to choose safely in Greece.
What it costs, the real risks, and how to choose safely in Lithuania.
What it costs, the real risks, and how to choose safely in Turkey.
An honest guide to LASIK cost abroad and in the UK. Indicative per eye and both eye figures, what drives the price, and
An honest guide to LASIK results and aftercare. The recovery timeline, what vision to realistically expect, dry eye, enh
An honest guide to LASIK risks and recovery. The real side effects and how common they are, the recovery timeline, and h
The questions that separate a safe LASIK from a risky one. What to ask about your candidacy, the surgeon, the technology