Laser Eye Surgery (Laser Vision Correction)

Suitability assessment and method planning with Dr. Nejmi Öztürk, ophthalmologist and eye surgeon, at HG Hospital in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye — SMILE, No-Touch, LASIK/Q-LASIK, PRK and customized laser options

What is laser eye surgery?

Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea (the clear front layer of the eye) with a laser to reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses. In Turkish it is commonly called “göz çizdirme” (literally “having the eyes scratched”); its medical name is refractive laser surgery. Myopia (nearsightedness, blurred distance vision), hyperopia (farsightedness, difficulty focusing up close and eye strain) and astigmatism (distorted, shadowed vision) can be corrected with this method.

To see clearly, light must focus exactly on the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye); with a refractive error, the focus falls in front of or behind the retina. The laser removes tissue from the cornea at the micron level (a micron is one thousandth of a millimeter), which changes the focusing power of the cornea and moves the focus onto the retina.

Despite the everyday name, nothing is scratched during the procedure. The excimer laser vaporizes tissue with cool light, while the femtosecond laser creates a precise layer inside the cornea with extremely short pulses of light.

In suitable patients, dependence on glasses is greatly reduced; the result depends on the examination findings, the size of the prescription and how the eye heals. Laser does not prevent presbyopia, the need for reading glasses that appears after the age of 40.

Which laser eye surgery methods are there?

There are four main techniques, plus customized treatment profiles that can be added to them. The basic difference is how the laser reaches the relevant layer of the cornea: by creating a flap, through a small incision, or directly from the surface.

SMILE laser eye surgery

SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) is a laser method used to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism in which no flap is created. The whole procedure is done with a single femtosecond laser; an excimer laser is not used.

How is it done?

1. Preparation: Anesthetic drops are put in the eye; no injection is given. The eyelids are held open with a small device.
2. Creating the lenticule: The femtosecond laser draws a thin disc of tissue (lenticule), calculated according to your prescription, in the inner layer of the cornea. This step takes a few tens of seconds, and your vision dims briefly.
3. Removal: The lenticule is grasped and taken out through a small 2–4 mm incision made on the surface of the cornea. Once the tissue is removed, the curvature of the cornea changes and the refractive error is corrected.
4. Finishing: No stitches are placed and no flap is lifted. The procedure takes about 10–15 minutes in total for both eyes.

Who is it suitable for?

• People over 18 with myopia and myopic astigmatism whose prescription has not changed for at least one year
• People whose corneal thickness and topography are found suitable
• People who do not want a flap: those who play contact sports or work in jobs with a risk of impact
• People with a tendency to dry eye — because the corneal nerves are less affected than with LASIK, dryness after surgery is generally milder

Hyperopia (farsightedness) is not corrected with this method; it is not used in people with progressive corneal disease (keratoconus), in those with insufficient corneal thickness, or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Suitability is determined after a detailed examination and corneal mapping.

What is recovery like?

• First day: Stinging, watering and light sensitivity may occur for 2–4 hours; it is important not to rub the eye.
• Days 1–3: Vision improves markedly; most patients return to desk work during this period.
• Weeks 1–4: The drop routine continues. For the pool, sea, sauna and make-up, follow the period your doctor gives you.
• Months 1–3: Visual acuity settles fully; night glare, if present, gradually decreases.

Advantages and limitations

The comparison of SMILE with other methods is in the table below; whether you are suitable and which method fits you is determined at the examination at HG Hospital in Kahramanmaraş. For a detailed explanation, see the SMILE page.

Which method suits which patient?

The method is determined by corneal thickness, the type and size of the prescription, the tear film, pupil diameter, occupation and lifestyle. Wavefront- and topography-guided profiles are added on top of these methods. The table summarizes general tendencies; the decision is made on the basis of measurements.

• People who play contact sports, work in occupations with a risk of blows to the eye, or tend to have dry eyes: SMILE or surface methods (No-Touch, PRK).
• People who want a fast return of vision and have a cornea of sufficient thickness: LASIK / Q-LASIK.
• Thin cornea or mild surface irregularity: No-Touch or PRK; a topography-guided profile if needed.
• People with hyperopia: LASIK or surface methods; SMILE has limited use in hyperopia.
• A prescription beyond the limits of laser, or a very thin cornea: ICL (implantable lens); over the age of 45, if there is also a near-vision problem, trifocal lens options.

Who is laser eye surgery suitable for?

Laser eye surgery is suitable for people aged 18 or over whose prescription has not changed for at least 1 year and whose corneas are healthy. The general conditions are:

• Being 18 or older; in some cases it is better to wait until the age of 20–21.
• No significant change in the prescription in the last year (generally less than 0.50 diopters).
• The degree of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism being within the limits that laser can correct; the limit depends on corneal thickness.
• A regular corneal map and sufficient corneal thickness.
• No cataract, uncontrolled glaucoma (high eye pressure) or active retinal disease.
• Realistic expectations: the goal is to reduce dependence on glasses.

Who is it not suitable for?

• People diagnosed with or suspected of having keratoconus (thinning and bulging of the cornea); laser can weaken the cornea further. In these patients keratoconus treatment is considered.
• People with thin corneas; laser is not performed if not enough thickness would remain after the flap and the laser.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women; hormonal changes temporarily affect the prescription.
• People whose prescription has changed in the last year, and anyone under 18.
• People with uncontrolled diabetes or certain rheumatic and immune system diseases; people with advanced dry eye, an active eye infection or a history of herpes (cold sore virus) inflammation in the eye.
• People in whom a cataract has begun; in this case cataract surgery is the more appropriate option.
• People taking certain medicines; your list of medicines is reviewed at the examination.

Examination and measurements: which tests are done?

The pre-laser examination is the most important step: it determines whether your eyes are suitable for laser and which method will be chosen. It usually takes 1–2 hours. The following measurements are made:

• Vision and prescription measurement: Refraction without and with drops (cycloplegic refraction); this is how your true prescription is determined.
• Corneal topography and tomography: Maps of the front and back surfaces of the cornea; screening for keratoconus.
• Pachymetry: Measurement of corneal thickness; it determines which method is safe.
• Pupillometry: Pupil diameter in the dark; for the risk of night halos.
• Tear tests: Quantity and quality of the tear film; if there is dry eye, it is treated first.
• Eye pressure measurement, slit-lamp examination and dilated retinal examination (with the pupil widened): Screening for retinal thinning and tears, especially in myopic patients.
• Aberrometry (wavefront measurement) if needed: When a customized treatment is being planned.

What happens on the day of surgery?

Laser eye surgery is done with anesthetic eye drops, without a hospital stay, and you go home the same day. The steps differ slightly between methods; the general sequence is as follows:

1. Your identity is confirmed, your consent is taken and final check measurements are done.
2. The eye is numbed with anesthetic drops; no injection or general anesthesia is used. In most patients both eyes are treated in the same session.
3. A small device is placed to keep the eyelids open, and you are asked to look at the laser’s target light. An eye-tracking system follows small movements.
4. The laser application itself takes a matter of seconds per eye; the total time spent in the treatment room is usually 10–20 minutes.
5. The discomfort felt varies from person to person; most patients describe pressure, mild burning and a brief dimming of vision.
6. Afterwards, protective glasses are put on, your drops are explained and, after a short rest, you go home with a companion; there is no driving that day.

Do not use make-up, perfume or face cream on the day of surgery; let the team know about your medicines and allergies in advance.

What is recovery like?

The speed of recovery depends on the method: with LASIK and SMILE, vision clears within days; with No-Touch and PRK, within weeks. The general timeline is as follows:

• Day 1: Burning, stinging, watering and light sensitivity are normal. With LASIK, vision improves noticeably within hours; with surface methods a bandage lens is in place and vision is blurred. Antibiotic, steroid (cortisone) and artificial tear drops are used as prescribed.
• Week 1: Do not rub your eyes, keep water out of them and do not wear eye make-up; take frequent breaks from screens. Return to desk work is usually after 1–3 days with LASIK and SMILE, and after 1–2 weeks with surface methods.
• Month 1: Stay away from swimming pools, the sea, hammams (Turkish baths), saunas and contact sports; continue artificial tears. Night halos usually begin to fade.
• Months 3–6: The stability of your vision is assessed; whether any additional correction is needed is decided in this period.

Check-ups are usually on day 1, at week 1, at month 1 and at month 3; with surface methods, a day 3–5 visit is added to remove the bandage lens. For patients coming from Elbistan and the surrounding districts, check-up dates are planned together at the examination, taking travel time into account.

What are the risks and limitations?

The safety data for laser eye surgery go back many years; nevertheless, as with any surgery, there are risks, and you should know them in advance.

• Dry eye: The most common side effect; it is usually temporary, and after LASIK it can last several months. It is managed with artificial tears and, if needed, additional treatment.
• Night halos and glare: Common in the first weeks and fading within months in most patients; they can be more noticeable with large pupils and high prescriptions.
• Under- or over-correction, regression: In a small group of patients the prescription is not fully eliminated or partly returns over time; additional correction can be done if the corneal thickness allows.
• Infection: Rare; the risk is reduced by using the drops regularly. Seek help immediately for sudden pain, redness or reduced vision.
• Corneal haze: Can occur with surface methods, especially with high prescriptions; the risk is reduced with protective medication and sunglasses.
• Flap problems: Specific to LASIK; displacement of the flap or cells growing underneath it is rare.
• Ectasia: Weakening and forward bulging of the cornea over time; it is rare, and eyes at risk are excluded in advance by careful screening.
• Limitations: Laser does not prevent presbyopia, does not treat eye diseases and cannot be used for very high prescriptions.

What are the alternatives to laser?

For eyes that are not suitable for laser, there are intraocular lens options in addition to glasses and contact lenses; the choice depends on age, prescription and the structure of the eye.

Assessment and planning in Kahramanmaraş

Your suitability for laser eye surgery is assessed with the examination and measurements at HG Hospital in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye; the method that suits you is planned together with Dr. Nejmi Öztürk. Dr. Öztürk is an ophthalmologist working in cataract and refractive surgery; he has been seeing patients at HG Hospital (Üngüt Mevkii, Prof. Dr. Necmettin Erbakan Blv. No:209, 46050 Onikişubat / Kahramanmaraş) since 2025.

HG Hospital is a private hospital contracted with the Turkish social security institution (SGK); patients with valid SGK coverage may use it, although a private-hospital co-payment may apply. Refractive laser surgery to reduce the need for glasses is, however, generally not covered by SGK, and most private health insurance policies also exclude it. Patients without SGK coverage, such as international patients and visitors from abroad, pay privately or through their private or travel health insurance; the hospital checks coverage before treatment. Fee information is given by the hospital after the examination, and insurance coverage is clarified at the consultation.

For patients coming from Elbistan, Afşin, Göksun, Ekinözü and Nurhak, the examination and measurements are planned so that they can be completed on the same day; the drive between Elbistan and Kahramanmaraş takes about 2 hours. Dr. Öztürk does not see patients in Elbistan; for travel and check-up planning, see the patients from Elbistan and the surrounding area page.

Pre-operative planning with RLES AI

In planning laser treatment, Op. Dr. Nejmi Öztürk uses RLES AI, an explainable artificial intelligence (XAI)-based clinical decision support system developed for cataract and refractive surgery, as a second layer of analysis. The system does not perform the treatment; it independently re-evaluates the measurements obtained at the examination.

• Measurement check: Corneal topography, the thickness map and the refraction values are read together; values that do not agree between devices are flagged.
• Safety limits: The percentage of tissue altered (PTA), the residual stromal bed (RSB) and the total corneal thickness are calculated.
• Early warning: Screening is carried out for keratoconus and progressive corneal diseases, and for shape distortion caused by contact lenses.
• Device-specific planning: The manufacturer nomograms of the device used at the hospital are taken as the basis.
• Explainability: Every warning is presented together with the rule and the calculation it rests on.

This assessment does not replace the physician’s decision; your physician makes the treatment decision and the plan together with the examination findings. RLES AI is a clinical decision support application and is intended solely for use by physicians.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Turkish Ophthalmological Society — todnet.org
• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) — aao.org
• European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) — escrs.org
• National Eye Institute (NEI) — nei.nih.gov

Related pages

• SMILE laser eye surgery
• LASIK and Q-LASIK eye surgery
• ICL (implantable lens)
• Eye doctor in Kahramanmaraş — HG Hospital

This page is for information only; diagnosis and treatment decisions are made after an examination. The results of any surgical or interventional procedure may vary from person to person. You are advised to obtain detailed advice from your physician before any procedure.

Dr. Nejmi Öztürk

Ophthalmologist and eye surgeon. Graduate of Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine; completed his residency at Ankara Atatürk Training and Research Hospital. With 21 years of experience in cataract and refractive surgery, strabismus, glaucoma, retina and oculoplastic surgery, he sees patients at HG Hospital in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. Biography and training

This content was prepared and medically reviewed by Dr. Nejmi Öztürk. Last updated: 28 September 2026 · Site editor and contact