Laser Eye Surgery in Turkey: SMILE Pro, FemtoLASIK, PRK & TransPRKLasik
Laser Vision Correction at Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital
Laser eye surgery can reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses by correcting refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
At Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital in İzmir, we do not believe that one laser technique is best for every patient.
The most appropriate procedure depends on several factors, including your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, age, tear film, lifestyle, occupation and previous eye surgery.
Our laser vision correction options include:
- SMILE Pro with ZEISS VisuMax 800
- FemtoLASIK
- PRK / LASEK
- TransPRK (No-Touch Laser)
After a detailed eye examination and corneal analysis, your ophthalmologist will recommend the technique that is most appropriate for your individual eyes.
SMILE Pro – Small-Incision Laser Eye Surgery
SMILE Pro is a modern, minimally invasive laser vision correction procedure performed at Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital using the ZEISS VisuMax 800 femtosecond laser.
Unlike LASIK, SMILE Pro does not require the creation of a large corneal flap.
The VisuMax 800 laser creates a thin layer of tissue, called a lenticule, within the cornea. The surgeon then removes this lenticule through a small incision of only a few millimetres, changing the shape of the cornea and correcting the refractive error.
SMILE Pro is primarily used for the correction of myopia and astigmatism in suitable patients.
Why may SMILE Pro be considered?
Potential advantages include:
- No LASIK flap
- Small corneal incision
- Short laser application time with VisuMax 800
- Rapid visual recovery in many patients
- Less disruption of the corneal surface and corneal nerves than flap-based surgery
- Potential advantages for patients with an active lifestyle or contact sports
- A lower incidence of postoperative dry-eye symptoms in some patient groups compared with LASIK
However, SMILE Pro is not automatically the best choice for every patient. The decision should be based on detailed examination and individual corneal characteristics.
Read more: SMILE Pro or FemtoLASIK? How Do We Decide?
Read more: ZEISS VisuMax 800 and SMILE Pro: Next-Generation Laser Eye Technology
FemtoLASIK
FemtoLASIK is one of the most established forms of laser vision correction.
During FemtoLASIK, a femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap. The flap is lifted and an excimer laser reshapes the underlying corneal tissue according to the patient’s refractive error. The flap is then repositioned.
FemtoLASIK can be used to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in suitable patients.
One of its major advantages is rapid visual recovery, with many patients achieving functional vision within the first day.
FemtoLASIK may be particularly useful when the patient’s refractive error or ocular characteristics make it preferable to SMILE Pro.
PRK and LASEK
PRK and LASEK are surface laser treatments.
Unlike FemtoLASIK, no corneal flap is created. The surface epithelial layer is removed or displaced and the excimer laser reshapes the underlying cornea.
These procedures may be considered in patients for whom a flap-based procedure is not ideal.
Because the corneal epithelium needs time to regenerate, recovery is generally slower and there may be more discomfort during the first few days compared with FemtoLASIK or SMILE Pro.
TransPRK – No-Touch Laser
TransPRK is another surface laser technique. Both the epithelial removal and refractive correction are performed with the excimer laser without creating a corneal flap.
It can be a useful option for selected patients, particularly when a surface treatment is preferred because of corneal characteristics or lifestyle considerations.
Visual recovery is generally slower than with SMILE Pro or FemtoLASIK.
Read more: What Is No-Touch Laser (TransPRK)? How Is It Different from PRK?
SMILE Pro, FemtoLASIK or TransPRK – Which Is Best for Me?
There is no single laser technique that is best for everyone.
This is one of the most important points we explain to our patients.
For example, one patient may be an excellent candidate for SMILE Pro, while another may obtain a better and more predictable result with FemtoLASIK. In another patient, PRK or TransPRK may be preferable.
The decision is based on factors such as:
- Type and degree of refractive error
- Corneal thickness
- Corneal topography and tomography
- Tear-film and ocular-surface condition
- Pupil characteristics
- Age
- Stability of prescription
- Lifestyle and occupation
- Previous eye surgery
- Expectations from treatment
At Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital, we choose the procedure according to the eye rather than trying to fit every eye to the same procedure.
Who Is Suitable for Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser vision correction may be considered if you:
- Are generally 18 years of age or older
- Have a sufficiently stable prescription
- Have healthy corneas
- Have adequate corneal thickness
- Have no significant uncontrolled ocular disease
- Have realistic expectations about the outcome
A detailed examination is essential before deciding whether laser vision correction is appropriate.
Some patients who are not suitable for corneal laser surgery may have other options, such as ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens).
What Examination Is Required Before Laser Eye Surgery?
Choosing the correct technique is as important as performing the surgery itself.
Before surgery, we evaluate the refractive error and examine the eye in detail. Corneal shape, thickness and other anatomical characteristics are assessed with advanced diagnostic technology.
These measurements help us determine not only whether laser surgery is suitable, but also which technique is most appropriate.
Recovery After Laser Eye Surgery
Recovery varies according to the procedure.
SMILE Pro and FemtoLASIK: visual recovery is generally rapid, and many patients can return to routine activities relatively quickly.
PRK, LASEK and TransPRK: recovery takes longer because the corneal surface needs time to heal. Temporary discomfort, light sensitivity and fluctuating vision are more common during the early recovery period.
Your doctor will explain the expected recovery period according to the procedure selected for you.
Are the Results Permanent?
Laser vision correction permanently changes the shape of the cornea.
However, the eye itself can continue to change naturally throughout life. Small changes in prescription can occasionally occur, and presbyopia generally develops with age regardless of previous laser surgery.
For this reason, we prefer to describe laser vision correction as a long-term correction of refractive error rather than a guarantee of lifelong freedom from glasses.
Experience in Laser Vision Correction
Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital has been performing refractive surgery for many years.
Prof. Dr. Mahmut Kaşkaloğlu has been involved in laser vision correction since the early years of excimer laser surgery, and our refractive surgery team has extensive experience with different generations of laser technology.
Today, our approach combines this surgical experience with modern technologies including ZEISS VisuMax 800 for SMILE Pro and advanced corneal diagnostic systems.
International Patients
Many international patients travel to İzmir for laser vision correction.
Before travelling, you can send us:
- Your age
- Current glasses/contact-lens prescription
- Previous eye examination reports
- Corneal topography or tomography, if available
- Details of any previous eye surgery
These can help us provide an initial assessment, although final suitability can only be determined after examination at the hospital.
Not Sure Which Laser Treatment Is Right for You?
Send your prescription or previous eye examination reports to our international patient coordinator for a preliminary assessment.
WhatsApp: +90 532 596 16 01
After a routine eye examination, you will be examined with a corneal topographer. Eye drops are then used to anesthetize the eye. During Femto LASIK surgery, a femsosecond laser device is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. The presence of a high speed eye-tracker on our system ensures accurate treatment even if you accidentally move your eye.
In our hospital we use the latest Alcon WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser which has a very fast eye tracker system that ensures accurate positioning of the laser beam on the corneal surface, thus enabling us to perform custom ablation, that is, laser treatment tailored just for you. Our surgeons also use the latest innovation in LASIK surgery, the Intralase and Alcon LenSx femto lasers to prepare the flap. Since everything is done by the gentle laser beams no mechanical instruments touch your eye during the surgery.
LASEK, PRK, NO-TOUCH operations are basically the operation except here femto laser is not used.
LASIK, LASEK,PRK, NO-TOUCH can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Professor Mahmut Kaskaloglu, the hospital’s founder and one of the most respected eye surgeons in Turkey, and Dr. Bilgehan Sezgin Asena perform all of the femto LASIK operations in our hospital. Prof. Kaskaloglu is a doctor with more than 44 years’ experience both practicing and teaching ophthalmology. He has been performing laser vision correction surgery since 1992 as one of pioneers in this field. Dr. Asena has worked at Kaskaloglu Eye Hospital since 2004 and has 15 years experience in laser surgery Both doctors speak English.
The day before surgery, stop wearing any perfume, make-up, lotions or creams. You will come to the clinic at the appointed time wearing casual, comfortable clothes. The procedure takes only a half hour, but you should plan your day so that you can spend two to three hours at the clinic.
The procedure is relatively painless, however, some patients complain of a brief sense of pressure. A few hours after the procedure there may be temporary stinging, burning and tearing. In that case taking a painkiller should help. LASEK,PRK ,No-touch takes longer to heal and there is more discomfort after the operation. With over 30 years experience with this kind of surgery at Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital we have developed regimens to increase your comfort and decrease pain after the operation.
In LASIK most patients will have very good vision after 3-4 hours. It takes longer for your vision to recover after LASEK,PRK or No touch.Your eyes will not be patched after the operation.
Depending on your occupation, you may start work in 1-2 days after LASIK. After LASEK, PRK or No-touch you may need 7-10 days befor going back to work.
Generally speaking, they will not. However, some insurance companies may pay for special cases. You should consult your health care company.
After the operation we will give you protective glasses to be worn that night. You will be asked you use drops for one month.
Current soft contact lenses do not change the shape of the cornea. For most patients we can perform lasik as soon as they remove the contact lenses. Of course we have to check the topography of your cornea before the operation. If you plan to have Lasik it is better that you remove your contact lenses a few days before the operation.
The majority of the patients can function without glasses after LASIK,LASEK, PRK or No-touch surgery. Patients over the age of 40-45 may need reading glasses.
Yes, this is the standard procedure in our clinic.
There are a few risks associated with this surgery. Before the operation you will be informed about the risks and side effects of the operation. You will also be asked to read and sign the consent form with all the information. However, under the care of the experienced professionals at Kaskaloglu Eye Hospital and with a clear understanding of the risks and alternatives associated with the surgery, you will most likely be quite happy with the result of your surgery.
Son Güncelleme 4 November 2026 Saat 13:47 pm