LASIK from $500 per eye in India vs $4,000 in the US. Cataract surgery, ICL implants, and retinal procedures abroad — technology, safety standards, and recovery guide.
Common Eye Procedures Done Abroad
| Procedure | Best For | Duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| LASIK (Wavefront-guided) | Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism. Prescription up to -10 | 15 min (both eyes) | 24–48 hours |
| SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) | Myopia and astigmatism. Flapless, less dry eye risk | 10 min (both eyes) | 2–3 days |
| ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) | High myopia (-6 to -20), thin corneas. Reversible | 20 min (both eyes) | 2–3 days |
| PRK (Surface Ablation) | Thin corneas, contact sport athletes, military | 15 min (both eyes) | 5–7 days |
| Cataract Surgery (Phaco + IOL) | Cloudy lens replacement — age-related or other causes | 15–20 min per eye | 1–2 weeks |
| Vitrectomy | Retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, macular hole | 1–2 hours | 2–6 weeks |
LASIK vs SMILE vs ICL — Which One Is Right for You?
LASIK
- Most established (30+ years of data)
- Widest range of correction
- Instant visual recovery
- Creates a corneal flap (rare risk of displacement)
- Higher dry eye rates at 3–6 months
Best for: Most patients with normal corneas
SMILE
- No flap — 80% smaller incision
- Lower dry eye risk
- More biomechanically stable cornea
- Only corrects myopia + astigmatism
- Slightly slower visual recovery (2–3 days)
Best for: Active lifestyle, dry eye concerns
ICL
- Reversible — lens can be removed
- Excellent for high myopia (-6 to -20)
- No corneal tissue removed
- Higher cost than LASIK/SMILE
- Very small risk of cataract (1–2%)
Best for: High prescriptions, thin corneas
Cost Comparison — Eye Surgery (2026)
| Procedure | USA | UK | Turkey | India |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LASIK (both eyes) | $4,000–6,000 | $3,000–5,000 | $1,200–2,000 | $500–1,200 |
| SMILE (both eyes) | $5,000–7,000 | $4,000–6,000 | $1,500–2,500 | $800–1,500 |
| ICL (both eyes) | $6,000–10,000 | $5,000–8,000 | $2,500–4,000 | $1,500–2,500 |
| Cataract (per eye, multifocal IOL) | $4,000–6,000 | $3,000–5,000 | $1,000–2,000 | $600–1,200 |
| Vitrectomy (per eye) | $8,000–15,000 | $5,000–10,000 | $2,000–4,000 | $1,500–3,000 |
Same technology worldwide: LASIK and SMILE use Carl Zeiss VisuMax femtosecond lasers and MEL 90 excimer lasers — manufactured in Germany and exported globally. The machine in Mumbai or Istanbul is identical to the one in Manhattan. What varies is the surgeon's skill and the facility's protocols.
Cataract Surgery Abroad — The Most Common Eye Surgery
Cataract surgery is the most performed surgery in the world. For international patients, the key decision is the type of intraocular lens (IOL):
| IOL Type | Vision | Cost (India) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monofocal | Clear distance vision; reading glasses needed | $300–600 | Budget-conscious patients |
| Multifocal (Trifocal) | Near + intermediate + distance vision | $800–1,500 | Patients wanting glasses-free life |
| Toric | Corrects astigmatism + distance vision | $600–1,000 | Patients with significant astigmatism |
| EDOF (Extended Depth of Focus) | Continuous vision range; fewer haloes than multifocal | $700–1,200 | Patients who drive at night |
Recovery Timeline — LASIK & Eye Surgery
Choosing an Eye Centre Abroad
- Laser platform — Insist on Carl Zeiss VisuMax 800 or Schwind AMARIS for LASIK/SMILE. These are the latest and safest platforms.
- Surgeon volume — Choose a surgeon who has performed 10,000+ refractive procedures. Ask specifically about your procedure type.
- Pre-operative screening — A thorough eye centre will perform 15+ diagnostic tests (topography, pachymetry, wavefront analysis, dry eye assessment) before approving you for surgery.
- Complication protocol — Ask what happens if you need an enhancement (re-treatment). Reputable centres include free enhancement within 12 months.
- Avoid "tourist mill" clinics — Clinics doing 50+ LASIK procedures per day with different surgeons each time may sacrifice quality for volume.
LASIK + vacation: Eye surgery is uniquely suited to medical tourism because the recovery is so fast. Many patients combine LASIK in Istanbul or Delhi with a week of sightseeing. Just bring high-quality sunglasses and stay diligent with your eye drops.
Looking for the best hospital?
Let our experts help you find the right hospital for your treatment. Get a free consultation today.