- Home: eye surgery in Istanbul
- All eye treatments
- Laser eye surgery in Turkey
- SMILE Pro (VisuMax 800)
SMILE Pro Eye Surgery in Istanbul: Keyhole Laser on the VisuMax 800
SMILE Pro eye surgery corrects short sight and astigmatism through a tiny keyhole opening in the cornea, with no flap. In Istanbul, your treatment is planned and performed by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Satıcı or Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram on the ZEISS VisuMax 800 laser. Your surgeon measures your eyes before recommending anything, you get the full price in writing before you travel, and a personal interpreter stays with you from your first examination to your final check-up.
SMILE Pro is the newest version of SMILE laser eye surgery (small incision lenticule extraction). A femtosecond laser, the ZEISS VisuMax 800, shapes a thin disc of tissue inside the cornea in about 8–10 seconds; your surgeon removes it through a 2–3 mm opening, so no flap is cut. It mainly treats short sight with or without astigmatism. With Laser Istanbul Clinic it starts from {{£ price}} for both eyes; hotel and transfers are extra.
What is SMILE Pro eye surgery, and how does the procedure work?
SMILE Pro eye surgery is a form of laser vision correction in which the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye, is reshaped from the inside instead of under a flap. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) groups it with the other "lenticule extraction" methods and describes it as "like LASIK without the LASIK flap". The end results are similar to LASIK and surface laser.
The SMILE eye surgery procedure has three steps:
- The laser shapes a lenticule. With your eye gently held by a soft suction ring, the femtosecond laser fires a rapid series of tiny pulses inside the cornea. They outline a thin, lens-shaped disc of tissue (the lenticule) whose shape matches your prescription, plus a small opening at the edge.
- Your surgeon removes it. Through that opening, about 2–3 mm long according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology's EyeWiki, the surgeon separates the lenticule and lifts it out.
- The cornea settles into its new shape. Taking out the lenticule flattens the cornea by exactly the planned amount, so light focuses sharply again. There is no flap to lie back and no stitches.
Why "no flap" matters. In LASIK the surgeon lifts a flap to reach the tissue beneath; SMILE leaves the upper layers of the cornea largely intact. Fewer corneal nerves are cut, which is the main reason SMILE eyes tend to have fewer dry-eye problems in the first months (see the results section). Because there is no flap, there is also no flap that can shift after a knock to the eye, which is why the RCOphth notes that people can return to contact sports sooner than after LASIK, where you wait at least a month.
The honest trade-off. The RCOphth notes that SMILE removes slightly more tissue than LASIK and works slightly deeper in the cornea, and that visual recovery may be slightly slower than after LASIK. Most people see well within a few days, but the very sharp "next-morning" clarity of LASIK is less typical.
SMILE, SMILE Pro, ReLEx SMILE and "SMILE LASIK": the names. SMILE has been used since 2008, and at least six million procedures have been performed worldwide, according to a 2025 study in Cureus. ReLEx SMILE is the original procedure on the VisuMax 500 laser. SMILE Pro (sometimes written SmilePro) is the same keyhole principle on the newer VisuMax 800. People often search for "SMILE LASIK", but SMILE is not a type of LASIK: it is a separate, flapless method.
Technology we use: the ZEISS VisuMax 800 femtosecond laser {{confirm model and software version}}, in a fully equipped, Ministry of Health–licensed operating theatre in Istanbul. Before surgery your examination includes corneal tomography (a 3D map of the cornea's shape), a corneal thickness measurement and a dry-eye assessment.
What changed with SMILE Pro and the VisuMax 800?
SMILE Pro keeps the proven SMILE technique and makes the laser step faster and better aligned; visual results are about the same as classic SMILE. Here is what the published studies show:
| ReLEx SMILE (VisuMax 500) | SMILE Pro (VisuMax 800) | |
|---|---|---|
| Laser pulse rate | Lower | 2 MHz (2 million pulses per second) |
| Time to create the lenticule | 28.3 seconds on average | 10.3 seconds on average (EyeWiki: about 8–10 seconds) |
| Centring on the eye's visual axis | Manual, by the surgeon | Assisted by an automated centration aid (CentraLign) |
| Correction for eye rotation (cyclotorsion), important for astigmatism | Manual | Assisted by an automated tool (OcuLign) |
| Optical-zone decentration | Larger | Significantly smaller (Kim & Chung, 2025) |
| Visual results at 3 months | Excellent | Comparable to VisuMax 500 in three comparative studies |
Timing and decentration: Kim & Chung, Scientific Reports 2025 (100 eyes per group). Features: EyeWiki. Comparable outcomes: Kim & Chung 2025; Lee et al., Life 2024; Davis et al., Cureus 2025.
What this means for you. A shorter laser time means a shorter period with the suction ring on your eye and less time in which you need to keep perfectly still. Better centring matters most if you have astigmatism or larger pupils. A 2024 Taiwanese study also found fewer cases of one specific technical problem during surgery (an unintended first dissection of the deeper plane) with the VisuMax 800 than with the older laser: 2 eyes versus 9 out of 80 in each group. What SMILE Pro does not do is change the long-term biology of the cornea: its benefits and limits are those of SMILE.
In the United States, the FDA approved SMILE in 2016 for short sight and extended approval to astigmatism in October 2018 (EyeWiki); SMILE Pro on the VisuMax 800 received FDA approval in 2024 (Davis et al., 2025).
Who is SMILE laser eye surgery suitable for?
SMILE laser eye surgery suits adults with stable short sight, with or without astigmatism, and a healthy cornea of good thickness. The RCOphth says you are most likely to be suitable for laser vision correction if you are over 18 and your prescription has changed by no more than 0.5 dioptres in the last two years, and it falls within:
| Prescription | Usual range for laser vision correction (RCOphth) | SMILE / SMILE Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Short sight (myopia) | up to −10.00 D | Its main use; published SMILE Pro studies treat up to about −10.00 D |
| Astigmatism | up to ±6.00 D | Treated together with short sight |
| Long sight (hyperopia) | up to +4.00 D | Not its usual use: Femto-LASIK or surface laser is normally chosen |
In the US the FDA approval for SMILE covers people aged 22 or older; in the UK and Europe, surgeons follow the RCOphth's over-18 rule. Either way, your surgeon decides only after measuring your eyes.
SMILE Pro is often a good fit if you:
- play contact or combat sports, or work in a job where an eye knock is likely (no flap to dislodge)
- have a slightly dry eye surface that is under control, or work long hours on screens
- have moderate to high short sight with a cornea thick enough for it
SMILE is usually not the right choice if you have:
- keratoconus or a cornea whose shape suggests a weakness (your case then goes to Doç. Dr. Özer, our cornea specialist)
- a cornea too thin for the planned correction
- long sight on its own, or a very small prescription
- severe dry eye, uncontrolled glaucoma or uveitis, active eye infection, or useful sight in only one eye
- pregnancy or breastfeeding, or an unstable prescription
If SMILE is not right for your eyes, Femto-LASIK, surface laser, an implantable lens or lens replacement may be. From around 50, or when early cataract appears, lens surgery often gives a longer-lasting result.
Before your examination, stop wearing contact lenses so your cornea returns to its natural shape. The US FDA advises 2 weeks for soft lenses, 3 weeks for toric soft or rigid gas-permeable lenses and 4 weeks for hard lenses. Your coordinator confirms the timing for your lenses.
SMILE Pro in Turkey: price and what is included
At Laser Istanbul Clinic, SMILE Pro starts from {{£ price}} for both eyes. Your surgeon confirms your exact price in writing after reviewing your prescription and scans, before you book anything.
Typical published SMILE laser eye surgery cost, both eyes (2025–26):
| Where | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| UK private clinics | £4,400–7,600 |
| Germany private clinics | €2,800–5,200 |
| USA | $5,000–8,000 |
| Istanbul (published package prices) | about $2,000–3,450 |
| Istanbul with Laser Istanbul Clinic | from {{£ price}} |
UK, German, US and Istanbul figures are typical ranges published by clinics and price-comparison sites in 2025–26, not quotes. Published Istanbul prices are often packages that include a hotel; ours cover your medical treatment, so you can compare like for like. Comparing the middle of each range, SMILE in Istanbul is about 66% cheaper than in the UK.
Your treatment price includes:
- full pre-operative eye examination and scans with your surgeon
- SMILE Pro on both eyes by your named surgeon
- medication and eye drops for your recovery
- follow-up checks in Istanbul with the same surgeon
- a personal interpreter, a dedicated coordinator and remote follow-up after you return home
Not included: flights, hotel and airport transfers. Hotel and transfers are a separate charge, and we can arrange them for you if you ask. In the UK, the RCOphth notes that laser vision correction is not available on the NHS and is not covered by private health insurance, so most patients pay privately wherever they are treated.
SMILE Pro usually costs a little more than Femto-LASIK, at home and in Istanbul, because of the laser platform it needs. Whether the extra is worth it depends on your eyes and lifestyle, which is what your free assessment is for.
Your SMILE Pro surgeons
If your scans suggest keratoconus or another corneal weakness, your case is reviewed by Doç. Dr. Muhammet Derda Özer (Doç. = Associate Professor), our cornea specialist, before any decision is made.
Your SMILE Pro journey, step by step
Free online assessment
Send your prescription and any eye reports. A surgeon tells you whether SMILE Pro is likely to suit you and sends a written quote within {{response time}}.
Book your dates
Plan 3–5 days in Istanbul. We help you choose dates with your surgeon.
Full eye examination (day 1)
Corneal tomography, corneal thickness, refraction with and without dilating drops, pupil size, a dry-eye assessment and a retina check. If SMILE is not right for you, your surgeon says so and explains the alternatives.
Surgery (day 1 or 2)
Numbing drops are used and a small clip keeps your eyelids open. You look at a target light while the suction ring holds your eye; the laser works for around 10 seconds per eye. Your surgeon then removes the lenticule. You go back to your hotel the same day, wearing protective shields.
First check (the next day)
Your surgeon examines both eyes and the small openings.
Final check and home
Most patients can fly 1–3 days after SMILE, once their surgeon has checked their eyes. Your coordinator stays in touch, and your surgeon reviews your progress by video at agreed intervals. You receive your full surgical report in English for your optician or optometrist at home.
SMILE Pro recovery timeline
Recovery after SMILE is quick and usually comfortable, but vision can take a few days longer to become fully crisp than after LASIK.
-
First few hours
Gritty, watery, light-sensitive eyes and a hazy view. Rest with your eyes closed and use lubricating drops.
-
Day 1
Vision is usually good enough for daily tasks, though it may be a little hazier than after LASIK. Washing and showering are fine; avoid getting water or soap in the eyes. Gym and jogging can restart (RCOphth).
-
Days 2–7
Vision keeps sharpening; because recovery is slightly slower than after LASIK, plan a few quiet days before screen-heavy work. Do not rub your eyes. No swimming for at least a week. Use your antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops exactly as prescribed.
-
Up to 6 weeks
Small red patches on the white of the eye are harmless and can take up to 6 weeks to fade.
-
Weeks 1–4
Contact sports can usually restart sooner than after LASIK (no flap); your surgeon gives you a date.
-
1–3 months
Night glare, halos and any dryness usually settle within a few months.
-
3 months onwards
Vision is normally stable; small changes can continue for longer, and full stabilisation can take up to two years (RCOphth).
Do not drive until your surgeon confirms that your vision meets the driving standard. Call your coordinator straight away if you have increasing pain, light sensitivity, redness or blurred vision, or if your eye is injured.
SMILE Pro results and risks: what can go wrong?
SMILE has more than ten years of published follow-up, and serious problems are rare. But it is surgery on a healthy eye, so you should know the real numbers.
Results with SMILE Pro. In the largest SMILE Pro series so far, 765 eyes treated on the VisuMax 800 in Vietnam (2025), 92% saw 20/25 or better without glasses at three months and 81% were within ±0.50 D of the intended prescription; 99% had no change in their best-corrected vision. In a German series of 152 eyes (2024), 91% were within ±0.50 D, no eye lost more than one line of best-corrected vision, and all 18 highly short-sighted eyes (−6.25 to −10.00 D) reached 20/20.
Results compared with LASIK. A meta-analysis summarised by EyeWiki found no significant difference between SMILE and LASIK in final prescription, the chance of 20/20 vision, predictability or vision loss. The RCOphth says visual results at three months are equally good for all types of laser vision correction.
Long-term stability. In the first SMILE patients, re-examined 10 years after surgery (Blum et al., 2019), the average prescription was −0.35 D, close to the target, and no eye had lost two or more lines of vision. A 2024 study of SMILE for up to −10 D found an average drift of only −0.03 D per year over 10 years.
Dry eye. Dry eye is the most common side effect of all laser eye surgery. A 2017 meta-analysis in Cornea found better tear stability, better symptom scores at 6 months and better-preserved corneal sensation after SMILE than after Femto-LASIK, and a 2025 meta-analysis of 18 studies reached the same conclusion for tear stability and corneal sensation. Dryness still happens after SMILE; it is just usually milder.
Common, usually temporary side effects:
- glare, halos and starbursts around lights at night, more likely with higher prescriptions
- dry, gritty eyes and fluctuating vision in the first weeks
- red patches on the white of the eye
Less common problems:
- Under- or over-correction. Up to 1 in 10 patients need some form of additional laser treatment to get the best result (RCOphth, all laser methods). After SMILE, a touch-up is usually done with surface laser or a laser-made flap rather than by repeating SMILE.
- Suction loss during the laser step, one of the main complications during SMILE. EyeWiki reports that in 81.8% of cases the laser can be re-applied in the same session; otherwise the treatment is completed another day or by another method. In the 765-eye SMILE Pro series it happened in 1 eye (0.13%).
- Small tears at the opening, surface scratches or a remnant of the lenticule, plus inflammation or haze in the interface; usually managed with drops and close follow-up.
Rare but serious: infection, and corneal ectasia, a weakening and bulging of the cornea. EyeWiki notes that most ectasia cases reported after SMILE were in eyes already borderline or high-risk before surgery, which is why careful scans come first. The RCOphth states that fewer than 1 in 5,000 patients need a corneal transplant to restore vision after laser surgery.
Later in life, tell any eye doctor that you have had laser eye surgery. It can make eye-pressure readings for glaucoma read low, and it changes the calculations for future cataract surgery.
Your surgeon explains your personal risks in writing and through your interpreter before you sign anything. Our policy if you need a touch-up or further treatment: {{enhancement / re-treatment policy and the period it covers}}.
SMILE Pro eye surgery: frequently asked questions
Both remove a thin lenticule through a small opening without a flap. SMILE Pro uses the newer ZEISS VisuMax 800 laser, which shapes the lenticule in about 10 seconds instead of about 28 and has automated aids for centring and eye rotation. Studies show similar visual results at three months, with better centring on the VisuMax 800.
Neither is better for everyone: overall vision results are similar. SMILE has no flap, so it may suit contact-sports players and eyes prone to dryness, and it tends to cause less dry eye in the first months. Femto-LASIK gives slightly faster visual recovery and treats long sight as well. Your surgeon recommends one after measuring your corneas.
No. "SMILE LASIK" is a common search phrase, but SMILE and LASIK are different procedures. LASIK cuts a flap and reshapes the cornea underneath with a second laser; SMILE uses one laser to shape a lenticule that is removed through a small opening, with no flap.
Published SMILE prices in Istanbul are typically about $2,000–3,450 for both eyes, often bundled with a hotel. With Laser Istanbul Clinic, SMILE Pro starts from {{£ price}} for both eyes, including your examination and scans, surgery, medication, follow-up checks, interpreter and coordinator. Hotel and transfers are extra. Your exact price is confirmed in writing after your free assessment.
No. Numbing drops are used, so you feel pressure from the suction ring and some touch while the lenticule is removed, but not pain. Afterwards your eyes may feel gritty and watery for a few hours. Lubricating drops keep you comfortable.
SMILE is used mainly for short sight with or without astigmatism. If you are long-sighted, Femto-LASIK or surface laser is normally the better laser choice, and from your mid-40s lens surgery may be worth discussing. Your surgeon explains which options fit your prescription.
The reshaping is permanent. Ten-year studies of SMILE show very small average changes, around −0.3 D, and no loss of two or more lines of vision. Your eyes still age: reading glasses in your 40s or 50s come from the natural lens, not from SMILE wearing off.
Most problems are minor and treatable: under- or over-correction can be fine-tuned, usually with surface laser, and dryness or haze is treated with drops. If suction is lost during the laser step, the surgeon can usually re-apply it in the same session or finish another time. Serious, permanent sight loss is rare, which is why your scans are checked carefully before surgery.
SMILE itself is rarely repeated. If you need a touch-up, it is usually done with surface laser on top of the cornea, or by converting the cap into a flap with special software, provided enough corneal thickness remains. {{Your surgeons' enhancement and re-treatment policy, including how long touch-ups are included in the price.}}
Plan 3–5 days in Istanbul. Most patients can fly 1–3 days after SMILE Pro, once their surgeon has checked their eyes.
SMILE Pro in Turkey can be as safe as at home when an experienced ophthalmologist performs it after full pre-operative tests, in a properly equipped operating theatre. Before you book, check your surgeon's name and qualifications, which laser is used and how aftercare works once you are home. We give you all of this in writing before you pay.
SMILE Pro or another laser option?
SMILE Pro is one of four ways to reshape the cornea that we offer. The RCOphth notes that visual results at three months are equally good for all of them; the main differences are recovery speed, comfort and which eyes each suits.
| SMILE Pro / ReLEx SMILE | Femto-LASIK | PRK / LASEK / no-touch Trans-PRK | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Femtosecond laser shapes a lenticule, removed through a 2–3 mm opening; no flap | Laser-made flap, then excimer reshaping | Surface skin removed, then excimer reshaping |
| Treats | Mainly short sight and astigmatism | Short sight, long sight, astigmatism | Short sight, long sight, astigmatism |
| Visual recovery | Slightly slower than LASIK | Fastest; often back to work the next day | Slowest; a week or longer before driving standard |
| Comfort in the first days | Mild grittiness; surface comfort may recover slightly faster | Mild grittiness for a few hours | Sore for several days |
| Contact sports | Sooner than LASIK | Wait at least 1 month | Sooner than LASIK |
| Often chosen for | Active lifestyles, dry-eye-prone eyes, moderate to high short sight | Most prescriptions with normal corneal thickness | Thinner corneas, flap-free preference |
LASIK & Femto-LASIK
The fastest visual recovery and the widest range of prescriptions, including long sight.
LASIK & Femto-LASIK in IstanbulReLEx SMILE
The original keyhole method on the VisuMax 500, with the same flapless principle.
ReLEx SMILE in IstanbulPRK / LASEK and no-touch laser
Surface treatments without a flap or incision, often recommended for thinner corneas.
PRK / LASEK in IstanbulLaser for reading glasses (40+)
Blended-vision laser that sets one eye for distance and the other for arm's length.
Laser for reading glasses (Presbyond, 40+)Sources for the facts on this page
- *Medical facts (all opened and checked, 6 Oct 2026):**
- EyeWiki (American Academy of Ophthalmology), Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE): 2–3 mm incision; SMILE Pro on VisuMax 800 with CentraLign and OcuLign, laser time 8–10 seconds; FDA approval 2016 (myopia) and October 2018 (astigmatism), age 22+; meta-analysis: no significant difference vs LASIK in refraction, 20/20 UDVA, predictability, vision loss; better corneal sensation and tear break-up time with SMILE; suction loss a primary complication, 81.8% re-applied in the same sitting; incision tears, epithelial defects, perforated caps, DLK, haze, interface infection; ectasia cases mostly in borderline/high-risk eyes; CIRCLE cap-to-flap enhancement; contraindications. https://eyewiki.org/Small_Incision_Lenticule_Extraction_(SMILE)
- US FDA, PMA P150040, VisuMax Femtosecond Laser (approved 13 Sep 2016): SMILE for myopia −1.00 to −8.00 D with ≤0.50 D cylinder, age 22+. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma.cfm?id=P150040
- US FDA, What should I expect before, during, and after surgery?: contact-lens breaks (2/3/4 weeks). https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery
- Kim BK, Chung YT. Comparison of clinical outcomes following SMILE performed with the VisuMax 800 versus VisuMax 500. Sci Rep 2025;15:25484 (100 eyes per group; lenticule creation 10.33 s vs 28.27 s; smaller optic-zone decentration and less vertical coma with VisuMax 800; comparable efficacy, safety, predictability). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12264011/
- Davis JC, Sitto MM, Herrera E, et al. Comparison of Initial Visual Outcomes Following KLEx Using VisuMax 500 Versus VisuMax 800. Cureus 2025;17(8):e89702 (SMILE in use since 2008, at least six million procedures; SMILE Pro FDA approval 2024; comparable 3-month outcomes). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12417058/
- Lee CY, Lian IB, Chen HC, et al. The Efficiency, Predictability, and Safety of First-Generation (Visumax 500) and Second-Generation (Visumax 800) KLEx Surgeries. Life 2024;14(7):804 (80 eyes per group; similar outcomes; unintended posterior-plane dissection 9 vs 2). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39063559/
- Cung HS, Tran LHT, Tran TN. Three-Month Outcomes of SMILE Pro with the VISUMAX 800 for Myopic Astigmatism in a Large Population. Clin Ophthalmol 2025;19:417–425 (765 eyes; 2 MHz laser; 81% within ±0.50 D; 92% UDVA 20/25 or better; 99% no change in CDVA; 1 suction loss, 0.13%). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11812556/
- Saad A, Klabe K, Kirca M, et al. Refractive outcomes of SMILE Pro with a 2 MHz femtosecond laser. Int Ophthalmol 2024;44:52 (152 eyes; 91% within ±0.50 D; no eye lost >1 line; all 18 eyes of −6.25 to −10.00 D reached 20/20). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10858925/
- Blum M, Lauer AS, Kunert KS, Sekundo W. 10-Year Results of Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. J Refract Surg 2019;35(10):618–623 (56 eyes; SE −0.35 D; no loss of ≥2 lines). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31610002/
- Xia F, Chen Z, Miao H, et al. Ten-year outcomes following SMILE for up to −10 dioptres myopia. Clin Exp Optom 2024;107(3):285–290 (regression −0.03 D/year). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37194118/
- Kobashi H, Kamiya K, Shimizu K. Dry Eye After SMILE and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted LASIK: Meta-Analysis. Cornea 2017;36(1):85–91 (better TBUT, OSDI at 6 months, corneal sensitivity and nerve density with SMILE). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27560032/
- Chen KY, Chan HC, Chan CM. How Effective is KLEx in Reducing Dry Eye Outcomes Compared to LASIK? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Refract Surg 2025;41(8):e839–e854 (18 studies; better TBUT and corneal sensitivity with KLEx/SMILE). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40778870/
- *Prices and surgeon facts (project files):**
Find out if SMILE Pro suits your eyes, free
Send us your glasses prescription and any eye reports. Prof. Dr. Satıcı or Op. Dr. Bayram will tell you whether SMILE Pro, Femto-LASIK or another option suits you, and what it would cost, with no obligation.
3 eye surgeons
Your case is reviewed by a named surgeon, not a salesperson. Reply within {{response time}}.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Satıcı
Doç. Dr. Muhammet Derda Özer
Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram