Typically 65–75% vs Italian private
Surgery, hotel, transfers, medication, and 3-month video aftercare in one quote.
Italy patient guide · Istanbul
Eye surgery for Italian patients
Direct flights from Rome and Milan. JCI-accredited eye centre, all-inclusive packages, Italian-speaking IPC on request — typically 3–5 nights.
For Italian patients
One hospital · your Italian 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 Italian patients choose our eye centre
Private LASIK in Milan and Rome often costs €3,500–€6,000+ for both eyes — without hotel or extended aftercare. Istanbul offers JCI-accredited hospital surgery, ZEISS platform parity with leading Italian centres, and all-inclusive packages — with Italian-speaking IPC support on request.
- Typically 65–75% vs Italian private
- Rome · Milan direct
- Italian support on request
Rome · Milan direct
FCO and MXP to IST ~2.5–3 hours — typical trip 3–5 nights.
Italian support on request
English hospital pathway; Italian-speaking IPC coordination available.
EU travel — no visa
Italian citizens — valid passport or ID card, tourist stay under 90 days.
SSN context
Elective laser not covered by Servizio Sanitario Nazionale — we provide documentation for private claims if applicable.
ZEISS platform parity
Same diagnostic and laser tier as Milan private refractive centres.
From Italy
Travel from Rome & Milan
Direct flights approximately 2.5–3 hours. Many Italian patients fly Friday, assessment Monday, surgery Tuesday, home Thursday after clearance.
Your route
Italy ↔ Istanbul
Rome (FCO)
Direct FCO–IST routes with ITA Airways, Turkish Airlines, and others.
Milan (MXP · LIN)
High-frequency Milan–Istanbul services. IPC meet regardless of departure city.
EU entry
Valid passport or national ID. EHIC does not cover elective surgery abroad.
Companion travel
Flights & accommodation
Italy ↔ 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 before assessment
- Travel insurance recommended
Language
Language
Italian-speaking IPC on request.
Planning your trip
How many days should Italian 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 trip — Italian cataract patient
A typical laser trip — your IPC confirms exact days once your surgeon approves the plan.
Day 1
Arrive
Transfer to hotel. Rest.
Day 2
Eye 1
First cataract surgery with premium IOL.
Day 3
Eye 2
Second eye surgery. Both eyes checked.
Day 5
Return
Morning clearance. Fly home to Rome or Milan.
Cataract guide · Lens replacement guide · Flying after surgery
Cost comparison
Italy vs Turkey — cost comparison
Personalised quotes only — typical Italian private market context.
| Factor | Italy private (typical) | iSee Turkey all-inclusive |
|---|---|---|
| LASIK / SMILE (both eyes) | Often €3,500–€6,000+ surgery only | All-inclusive personalised quote |
| Cataract premium IOL | €3,000–€5,000+ per eye common | Bilateral packages available |
| SSN (public system) | Long waits for cataract; no elective LASIK | Self-pay — fast access, premium IOL choice |
| Hotel & transfers | Not included | Included in package |
| Aftercare | Limited visits typical | 3-month video follow-up included |
| Technology | Leading Milan clinics use ZEISS tier | Written confirmation before booking |
Request your personalised Italian 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 Italy ↔ Istanbul
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Personal spending
- Any Italian 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.
Italian guides
Deep-dive guides for Italian patients
Country-specific guides linked from this page — tap any guide to read more. Universal logistics sit in the Guide centre.
Cost
Italy vs Turkey
Travel
Rome flights to Istanbul
Healthcare
SSN & private context
Planning
Stay length
Recovery
Aftercare at home
Checklist
Travel checklist
Also read: SSN & private healthcare context · Rome → Istanbul flights
FAQ
Common Italian patient questions
Is eye surgery in Turkey safe for Italian patients?
JCI-accredited eye centre, named surgeons, ZEISS platforms — same tier as leading Milan private centres.
Is LASIK cheaper in Turkey than Italy?
Typically yes — all-inclusive packages often 65–75% below Italian surgery-only quotes.
Does the SSN cover LASIK abroad?
No — elective refractive surgery is not covered by the public system.
Is Italian-speaking support available?
Italian-speaking IPC on request. Discharge summary in English; Italian on request.
EU travel — visa required?
Italian citizens — valid ID or passport, no visa under 90 days.
Can both eyes be treated in one trip?
Yes — bilateral cataract and laser surgery in one visit is standard.
Full FAQ (54 questions) → · Our surgeons → · Clinic technology →
Italian patient eligibility check
Free · 60 seconds · Our clinical team replies within 2 hours with a surgeon-led treatment plan and transparent all-inclusive quote.