This section provides factual reference information on medical and dental procedures commonly sought through medical tourism. Each procedure page includes international price ranges, typical recovery times, common risks, key considerations, and questions you should ask any clinic before proceeding.
Price ranges reflect what international patients typically pay at clinics abroad — not domestic costs in the US, UK, or other high-income countries. Prices vary significantly by country, clinic, surgeon experience, and specific clinical requirements. Always confirm what is and is not included in any quoted price.
Ophthalmology
LASIK Eye Surgeryophthalmology
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) reshapes the cornea using an excimer laser to correct refractive errors including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. A thin corneal flap is created, the underlying tissue is reshaped, and the flap is repositioned. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes per eye with rapid visual recovery.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)ophthalmology
PRK is a refractive laser eye surgery in which the corneal epithelium is removed and an excimer laser reshapes the underlying corneal stroma to correct myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. PRK predates LASIK and remains the preferred surface-ablation technique for patients with thin corneas, occupational requirements that contraindicate a corneal flap (military, contact sports), or borderline topography that makes a flap risky. Recovery is slower and more uncomfortable than LASIK because the epithelium has to heal over the treated cornea — typically 3-5 days with a bandage contact lens — but biomechanical integrity of the cornea is preserved.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)ophthalmology
SMILE is a refractive laser eye procedure in which a femtosecond laser creates a small lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue (a lenticule) within the intact cornea, which is then extracted through a small peripheral incision typically 2-4mm wide. Because no corneal flap is created, SMILE preserves more of the cornea's anterior biomechanical strength than LASIK. SMILE is approved for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism; hyperopic SMILE has been approved in some markets more recently.