Typically 65–75% vs French private
Surgery, hotel, VIP transfers, medication, and 3-month video aftercare in one quote.
France patient guide · Istanbul
Eye surgery for French patients
Direct flights from Paris and Lyon. JCI-accredited eye centre, ZEISS platform parity, French-speaking IPC on request — typically 3–5 nights in Istanbul.
For French patients
One hospital · your French pathway
Clinical assessment first — then your International Patient Coordinator handles flights, hotel, and aftercare. Same ZEISS platforms and JCI standards for every country.
Use the guide sections below — travel, stay length, cost comparison, and country-specific guides.
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Eligibility check
60-second form · IPC replies within 2 hours with honest procedure fit and next steps.
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Travel & quote pack
Surgeon CV, platform names, hotel nights, and all-inclusive quote in writing before you book flights.
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Surgery & fly home
JCI hospital pathway · post-op checks · discharge pack · 3-month video aftercare at home.
Why Istanbul
Why French patients choose our eye centre
Private LASIK in Paris and Lyon often costs €4,500–€7,000+ for both eyes — surgery only. Our JCI-accredited Istanbul eye centre uses the same ZEISS and WaveLight platforms as leading French refractive centres, with all-inclusive packages typically 65–75% below French private rates — and French-speaking IPC on request.
- Typically 65–75% vs French private
- Paris · Lyon direct
- French support on request
Paris · Lyon direct
CDG and LYS to IST ~3 hours — typical trip 3–5 nights.
French support on request
English hospital pathway; French-speaking IPC coordination available.
EU travel — no visa
French citizens — valid passport or ID card, tourist stay under 90 days.
Mutuelle documentation
Full invoices and medical reports if you pursue supplementary insurance reimbursement.
ZEISS platform parity
VisuMax, MEL 90, WaveLight — confirmed before booking.
From France
Travel from Paris & Lyon
Direct flights approximately 3 hours. Many French patients fly Friday evening, assessment Monday, surgery Tuesday, home Thursday after post-op clearance.
Your route
France ↔ Istanbul
Paris (CDG · ORY)
High-frequency CDG–IST routes. Air France, Turkish Airlines, and others — ~3h flight time.
Lyon · Marseille · Nice
Regional airports with direct or connecting IST options. Plan arrival before assessment.
EU entry
Valid passport or national ID. EHIC does not cover elective surgery abroad — travel insurance recommended.
Companion travel
Flights & accommodation
France ↔ Istanbul — flight information
Partner 4★ hotels near the hospital campus — quiet rooms, easy access for post-op checks, and optional companion occupancy. Hotel nights are included in your all-inclusive quote based on procedure type.
Flight information
Airports
Airports
- IST — IPC meet
- SAW — transfers included
Booking
Booking tips
- Flexible return until clearance
- Arrive day before assessment
- Travel insurance recommended
Language
Language
French-speaking IPC on request. Hospital pathway in English.
Planning your trip
How many days should French patients stay?
Stay length depends on procedure — not marketing. Your quote confirms hotel nights; your surgeon confirms fly-home clearance.
LASIK / SMILE Pro
3 nights
Arrive · assess · operate · check · fly home
PRK / surface laser
4–5 nights
Extra day before flying — bandage lens and comfort check
ICL / lens implant
4 nights
Both eyes often consecutive days; pressure check before flight
Cataract both eyes
4–5 nights
Eyes often day apart; premium IOL briefing included
Lens replacement (RLE)
5 nights
Bilateral RLE common in one trip for international patients
Treatment timeline
Sample week — French LASIK patient
A typical laser trip — your IPC confirms exact days once your surgeon approves the plan.
Day 1
Arrive
Airport meet. Hotel check-in.
Day 2
Assessment
Pentacam and surgeon consultation.
Day 3
Surgery
LASIK AM. Post-op check PM.
Day 4
Return
Morning clearance. Fly home to Paris or Lyon.
Cataract guide · Lens replacement guide · Flying after surgery
Cost comparison
France vs Turkey — cost comparison
Personalised quotes only — typical French private market context.
| Factor | France private (typical) | iSee Turkey all-inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK / SMILE (both eyes) | Often €4,500–€7,000+ surgery only | All-inclusive personalised quote |
| Cataract premium IOL | €3,500–€5,500+ per eye at many centres | Bilateral packages with premium IOL |
| Sécurité sociale | Elective laser not reimbursed; cataract public waits | Self-pay — fast access, premium IOL choice |
| Hotel & transfers | Not included | Included in package |
| Aftercare | Limited post-op visits typical | 3-month video follow-up included |
| Technology | Same ZEISS tier in leading FR clinics | Written confirmation before booking |
Request your personalised French quote → · No obligation until you approve the plan.
All-inclusive
What is included?
One written quote — surgery, hotel nights, transfers, medication, and aftercare. You only book flights and insurance separately.
Included in your package
- Surgery at our JCI-accredited eye centre
- Pre-op assessment and post-op checks
- Named surgeon and written platform / IOL plan
- 4★ partner hotel (nights matched to procedure)
- VIP airport and hospital transfers
- Post-operative medication and drop schedule
- International Patient Coordinator throughout
- 3-month video aftercare with your surgeon
- English discharge summary for your optometrist
You arrange separately
- Return flights France ↔ Istanbul
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Personal spending
- Any French optometrist follow-up locally
Patient journey
From first message to aftercare at home
Clinical decisions first, travel second.
1
Eligibility check
60-second form · IPC replies within 2 hours with honest procedure fit.
2Technology & surgeon pack
Platform names, surgeon CV, and all-inclusive quote in writing.
3Book travel
Flights and insurance — IPC confirms hotel and transfer schedule.
4Surgery in Istanbul
JCI hospital pathway · assessment · procedure · post-op checks.
5Fly home
Discharge letter, medication, and optometrist handover pack.
6Aftercare
Video follow-ups at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months.
French guides
Deep-dive guides for French patients
Country-specific guides linked from this page — tap any guide to read more. Universal logistics sit in the Guide centre.
Cost
France vs Turkey
Travel
Paris flights to Istanbul
Insurance
Sécurité sociale & mutuelle
Planning
Stay length
Recovery
Aftercare at home
Checklist
Travel checklist
Also read: Sécurité sociale & mutuelle context · Paris → Istanbul flights
FAQ
Common French patient questions
Is the technology the same as in France?
Yes — ZEISS VisuMax, MEL 90, and WaveLight platforms used in leading French private centres.
Can I claim on my mutuelle?
Policies vary — we provide full documentation for any supplementary insurance claim you wish to pursue.
Does sécurité sociale cover LASIK in Turkey?
No — elective refractive surgery is not reimbursed, whether in France or abroad.
Can my French ophtalmologist follow up?
Yes — discharge summary in English; French translation on request.
EU travel — visa required?
French citizens — valid ID or passport, no visa under 90 days tourist stay.
Can both eyes be treated in one trip?
Yes — bilateral surgery in one Istanbul visit is common.
Full FAQ (54 questions) → · Our surgeons → · Clinic technology →
French patient eligibility check
Free · 60 seconds · Our clinical team replies within 2 hours with a surgeon-led treatment plan and transparent all-inclusive quote.