SMILE laser eye surgery, explained honestly.
A flapless laser option for nearsightedness. What it really costs abroad, who it suits, the honest risks, and the questions that keep you safe. We never name a clinic.
vs about £4,600 UK
small incision
slower start than LASIK
Is it worth going abroad?
SMILE, a flapless laser technique, is typically the more expensive laser option, priced around £2,300 per eye in the UK, so roughly £4,600 for both. Abroad, ReLEx SMILE is quoted from about $2,600 as a package in markets such as Turkey, using the same laser platform. It suits many nearsighted prescriptions and people with active lives or drier eyes, but it is not for everyone, and a careful assessment decides that.
Costs below are indicative ranges, reviewed June 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.
SMILE, short for small incision lenticule extraction, corrects vision by reshaping the cornea from within. Instead of creating a flap, the surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to form a small disc of tissue, called a lenticule, inside the cornea, then removes it through a tiny keyhole incision. Because there is no flap, the cornea keeps more of its surface strength and the procedure tends to be gentler on the tear film. It mainly treats nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism, within set ranges.
Who it tends to suit. Adults with a stable nearsighted prescription, healthy eyes, and adequate corneal thickness, particularly people with drier eyes or active lifestyles who want to avoid a flap.
Who it tends not to suit. People who are mainly farsighted, since SMILE is not designed for that, along with those who have thin or irregular corneas, keratoconus, an unstable prescription, or certain eye conditions. PRK or an implantable lens may suit some of these cases better.
The price, honestly.
SMILE is usually the priciest of the laser options because of the technology and licensing involved. The same platform is used at home and abroad, so a lower price abroad mainly reflects lower running costs, not a different operation.
Indicative ranges, reviewed June 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.
SMILE is offered for a narrower range of prescriptions than LASIK, so confirm you are being quoted for the operation that actually fits your eyes. For a fuller breakdown see our cost by country guide.
What can go wrong.
SMILE is a well established laser procedure with good reported outcomes for suitable nearsighted eyes. As with any laser correction, the risks are real and depend on a careful assessment.
Reported to be generally less than after LASIK because no flap is made, but dryness can still occur while the cornea heals.
Starbursts and halos around lights can occur early on and usually fade. They persist in a small number of people.
The result may not land exactly on target. Enhancement after SMILE is possible but less straightforward than after LASIK, often using a surface laser instead.
Difficulty removing the lenticule or a small tear at the cap edge can occur, more so early in a surgeon's experience, which is why surgeon volume matters.
Infection inside the eye is uncommon at a clean, accredited clinic but needs prompt treatment.
SMILE only suits certain prescriptions, so the key question abroad is whether you are being offered it because it fits your eyes or because it is the headline service. A rushed assessment, an approval by email, or an unclear named surgeon are warning signs. Enhancements and follow up are also harder to manage 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 blurry at first and may take a little longer to clear than after LASIK. Eyes can feel gritty and watery. Use drops as directed and do not rub your eyes.
First week
Vision improves steadily. Avoid swimming, eye makeup, and dusty environments for the period advised.
1 to 3 months
Vision sharpens and stabilises. Any early glare or dryness usually eases.
Long term
Results are generally stable. Reading glasses may still be needed with age, and a small number need further treatment.
An enhancement after SMILE is less simple than after LASIK and is hard to arrange from another country. Agree before you travel who handles aftercare and any further treatment, in writing.
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.
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The things everyone asks.
How is SMILE different from LASIK?
SMILE removes a small disc of tissue through a tiny keyhole incision rather than lifting a flap, so the cornea keeps more surface strength and the tear film is often less disturbed. LASIK treats a wider range of prescriptions, including farsightedness.
Is SMILE available for farsightedness?
SMILE is mainly used for nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism. If you are farsighted, a clinic should discuss LASIK or another option rather than pushing SMILE.
Is SMILE cheaper abroad?
Often yes. In the UK it is typically around £2,300 per eye, while abroad ReLEx SMILE is quoted from about $2,600 as a package in markets such as Turkey, on the same laser platform.
Does SMILE hurt?
Numbing drops mean the procedure is not painful, though you feel pressure. The first day or two can be gritty and watery, settling quickly for most people.
What if I need an enhancement?
Enhancement after SMILE is possible but less straightforward, often using a surface laser. Confirm before you travel how it would be handled and who pays.
Where to go next.
SMILE Laser Eye Surgery 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.
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