Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Compare TransPRK, Femto LASIK and SMILE in Kartal, Istanbul. Check your suitability.
Laser eye surgery is a group of procedures that correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea. Three techniques are considered: TransPRK (no-touch PRK), Femto LASIK and SMILE (KLEx). Which one is suitable depends on corneal thickness, prescription and eye structure, assessed through a detailed examination.
Written by Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgery is a group of procedures that correct refractive errors — myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism — by reshaping the cornea. Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya considers three techniques: TransPRK (no-touch PRK), Femto LASIK and SMILE (KLEx). Which one suits you becomes clear only after examining corneal thickness, prescription and eye structure — a case-by-case decision, not a general rule.
The General Logic of Laser Surgery: Three Goals
Whichever technique is used, laser surgery pursues the same three goals; planning is built around these three axes regardless of method.
| Goal | How it is achieved | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Correcting the refractive error | The cornea is reshaped according to the prescription | Clear vision without glasses |
| Preserving tissue reserve | The safe limit of corneal thickness is respected | Long-term corneal strength |
| Protecting night vision | The treatment zone is planned according to pupil diameter | Reducing the risk of halos and glare |
What Symptoms Bring Patients to This Area?
Most patients considering laser surgery share one complaint: blurred distance vision without glasses or contact lenses, which can affect daily life from driving to screen work. Which refractive error is behind it, and whether laser can correct it, is established through a detailed eye examination.
Who Is a Candidate? Which Refractive Errors Can Be Corrected?
The three refractive errors most often treated with laser eye surgery are myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and astigmatism, alone or in combination.
Myopia (short-sightedness)
Distant objects appear blurred, while near vision is comparatively clear.
Hyperopia (long-sightedness)
Difficulty focusing at close range is the main feature.
Astigmatism
An irregular corneal curve can blur the image somewhat at every distance.
Blurred distance vision
An as-yet undiagnosed complaint — an examination comes first, the choice of method afterwards.
Which Laser Methods Are Used?
Three main laser methods are considered. TransPRK (no-touch PRK) treats the cornea's surface without creating a flap; the epithelium regenerates within a few days. Femto LASIK uses a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap, applies the laser beneath it, then repositions the flap. SMILE (KLEx) is flapless: a small, lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue is formed inside the cornea and removed through a few-millimetre incision; it is not used clinically for hyperopia.
| TransPRK (no-touch) | Femto LASIK | SMILE (KLEx) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the cornea | From the surface, flapless | Thin flap created with a femtosecond laser | Lenticule removed through a small incision |
| Use in hyperopia | Used | Used | Not used |
| Key advantage | May be considered for thin corneas or contact-risk occupations | Comfortable, considered across a wide prescription range | Flapless; may be considered for patients without marked dry eye |
How do the three methods reach the cornea?
Which Method Suits Whom?
Which method suits you depends on factors such as corneal thickness, dry eye history, prescription degree and the type of refractive error. The measurements below narrow the candidate methods; the final decision follows examination.
| Measurement | What it points to |
|---|---|
| Corneal thickness | A thin cornea favours TransPRK |
| Dry eye | If marked, flapless methods (TransPRK, SMILE) are considered |
| Presence of hyperopia | As SMILE is not used, TransPRK or Femto LASIK is considered |
| Occupation / contact risk | If high, flapless methods may be favoured |
Four measurements, three methods
How Are the Methods Compared?
TransPRK vs Femto LASIK, TransPRK vs SMILE, and Femto LASIK vs SMILE are compared separately, covering recovery time, early sensation, flap-related risks and the effect on dry eye. These comparisons help patients see concrete differences and ask more informed questions; the final decision still rests on the doctor's assessment after examination.
How Is the Pre-Operative Assessment Carried Out?
Before laser surgery, corneal thickness, dry eye, prescription stability and general eye health are assessed in a detailed suitability assessment. This clarifies which method can safely be used, or whether laser is not currently advisable. More on the suitability assessment is given on a separate page.
Step by Step on the Day of Treatment
All three methods follow the same sequence; the difference lies in how the cornea is accessed. The procedure takes one session, only a few minutes per eye.
- 1Anaesthetic drops. No injection is used; the eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops.
- 2Access to the cornea. Depending on the method, the epithelium is gently lifted (TransPRK), a thin flap is created with a femtosecond laser (Femto LASIK), or a small incision is made (SMILE).
- 3Laser application. An individually calculated amount of tissue is reshaped on or within the cornea.
- 4Closing the cornea. The flap is repositioned (Femto LASIK) or a bandage contact lens is fitted (TransPRK); with SMILE, the small incision closes on its own.
How Does the Recovery Process Progress?
Recovery speed varies by method: epithelial renewal after TransPRK takes a few days, while visual recovery with Femto LASIK and SMILE is usually quicker.
Day 1
Vision noticeably sharpens with Femto LASIK and SMILE; with TransPRK, vision can fluctuate while the epithelium is still healing.
First week
The bandage contact lens used with TransPRK is usually removed during this period.
First month
A return to most daily activities, such as screen use and driving, is largely possible.
Month 3
Prescription stability and quality of vision are reassessed.
Year 1
The process is completed with a final follow-up check.
Recovery speed by method
Possible Findings After Surgery
Temporary dry eye
Common in the early period; managed with artificial tears.
Halos and glare
Noticeable around lights at night; tends to lessen over time.
Partial regression
Some return of the original prescription; an additional assessment is carried out if needed.
Flap-related issues
Only relevant to Femto LASIK; avoiding impact to the eye in the early period is important.
In Which Situations Is Laser Treatment Not Used?
Certain findings can point away from all three laser methods towards a different approach altogether; such cases are identified early and explained openly to the patient.
| Situation | General direction |
|---|---|
| Thin cornea combined with a high prescription | A different treatment option is considered instead of laser |
| Prescription still increasing (younger patients) | Prescription stability is awaited before laser is recommended |
| Marked dry eye | Flapless methods (TransPRK, SMILE) are considered first |
| Hyperopia with a preference for a flapless method | As SMILE is not used, TransPRK or Femto LASIK is considered |
How Are Post-Operative Check-Ups Scheduled?
The process does not end with surgery; check-ups monitor healing and prescription stability, adjusted by the doctor to method and recovery.
| Time | What is checked |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Early healing, level of discomfort |
| Week 1 | Epithelium status and bandage lens with TransPRK |
| Month 1 | Visual acuity, dry eye |
| Month 3 and Year 1 | Prescription stability, general eye health |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is laser eye surgery painful?
The procedure is carried out with anaesthetic eye drops, so pain is not expected during treatment. With TransPRK, a stinging or watery sensation can be felt for the first few days; with Femto LASIK and SMILE, this sensation is generally milder.
Can I give up glasses completely after laser surgery?
The aim is clear vision without glasses, but the outcome varies from person to person and depends on the degree of the refractive error. A precise expectation is set only after the doctor's assessment following examination.
Can laser treatment be used at any degree of myopia?
No; the degree of the prescription is assessed together with corneal thickness. If the cornea is not thick enough, a different treatment option may be considered instead of laser.
At what age can laser eye surgery be performed?
Laser surgery is generally considered once the prescription has become stable in adulthood; in younger patients whose prescription is still changing, stability is awaited first.
Are both eyes treated on the same day?
Both eyes can usually be considered in the same session; the final decision is made by the doctor based on the examination findings.
Can the prescription drift back over time?
A partial regression can rarely occur. If this happens, it is assessed at follow-up check-ups, and a further evaluation is carried out if needed.
Can laser surgery be done during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Because the prescription can fluctuate during this period, laser surgery is generally postponed.
When can I return to sport and wearing make-up after laser surgery?
The timing depends on the method used and how quickly recovery progresses; the exact timing is confirmed at follow-up check-ups.
What determines the price of laser eye surgery?
The price of laser eye surgery depends on factors such as the method chosen (TransPRK, Femto LASIK or SMILE), the degree of the prescription and the technology used. Precise information can only be given on an individual basis, after examination.
How does the recovery process go after laser eye surgery?
The recovery process varies according to the method chosen; vision generally sharpens faster with SMILE and Femto LASIK, while recovery with TransPRK can be spread over a few days. The method that suits you is determined at examination.
What are the risks of laser eye surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, laser eye surgery carries some risks; with modern techniques these risks are low. Your individual level of risk is assessed at examination, based on the structure of your eyes.
Can people with diabetes have laser eye treatment?
Diabetes alone is not a barrier to laser eye treatment; however, blood sugar control and eye health — particularly the retina — are assessed in detail at examination, and the decision is made on an individual basis.
References
- What Is Refractive Surgery? — American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), 2023
- LASIK for Myopia and Astigmatism: Safety and Efficacy — American Academy of Ophthalmology — EyeWiki, 2026
Book a Consultation
For questions about laser eye surgery, or to book a suitability assessment, contact Op. Dr. Anıl Kaya's practice in Istanbul through the contact page.
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Ophthalmologist · Kartal, Istanbul