---
title: "Patient Guides — International Eye Surgery Travel"
description: "Universal patient guides for international eye surgery in Istanbul — visa, airport transfers, hotels, flying home, recovery, and aftercare."
url: "https://iseeturkey.com/patient-guides/"
language: "en-GB"
datePublished: "2026-08-07T00:38:35+00:00"
dateModified: "2026-08-07T00:38:35+00:00"
author: "admin"
---

Guide centre · All countries

# Patient *guides*

Universal logistics and recovery guides for every international patient — linked from each country hub. Visa, transfers, hotels, flying home, and aftercare in one place.

[Browse guides ↓](#guides)

Documents and preparation

## Before you travel

Before booking flights, gather:

- Recent optometrist prescription and any corneal topography if you have it
- List of medications and allergies
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond travel
- Travel insurance that covers elective surgery abroad (read policy wording)
- Companion details if someone travels with you

Our IPC team sends a pre-travel checklist with your confirmed surgery date. Complete the online eligibility check first — we reply within 2 hours with clinical suitability, not a generic brochure.

Entry requirements by passport

## Visa information

**UK, EU, US, and Canadian passport holders** do not need a visa for tourist stays in Turkey under 90 days within a 180-day period.

- Ensure passport validity meets airline and Turkish entry rules (typically 6 months beyond departure)
- Keep return flight confirmation available if immigration asks
- Other nationalities — check Turkish MFA e-visa portal or ask IPC before booking

IST & SAW meet-and-greet

## Airport transfer

VIP airport meet-and-greet at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is included in all-inclusive packages.

- Transfer to partner hotel on arrival
- Hospital transfers on assessment and surgery days
- Return to airport after surgeon clearance

Partner hotels near the eye centre

## Hotels & accommodation

We book partner 4★ hotels near the hospital campus — selected for quiet recovery and easy taxi access.

- Hotel nights included per procedure type in your quote
- Extra nights available at transparent rates

Country-specific stay lengths: see your [country guide](https://iseeturkey.com/international-patients/#countries).

Travelling with a partner or family member

## Companion guide

Companions are welcome. They cannot enter the laser suite but can accompany you to the hospital campus.

- Dual-occupancy rooms available — tell IPC when booking
- Airport transfers cover patient; companion travel is standard vehicle seating

Transparent quotes and deposits

## Payment options

Every package is personalised after clinical review — no fixed public price list.

- Written quote lists surgery, hotel nights, transfers, medication, and aftercare
- Deposit secures surgeon and surgery date
- Bank transfer and card options — IPC confirms methods for your country

Post-op days in Istanbul

## Recovery in Turkey

Recovery is mostly rest at the hotel with scheduled hospital checks.

- **Laser:** post-op check same day; morning check before flight
- **Lens / cataract:** checks on surgery days and day before travel
- Use drops exactly on schedule

Cabin pressure and clearance timing

## Flying after eye surgery

Do not book return flights until your surgeon confirms fly-home clearance.

- **LASIK / SMILE:** often cleared 24–48 hours after surgery
- **PRK / surface:** typically 4–5 days minimum
- **ICL / cataract / RLE:** usually 48–72 hours; long-haul may need extra buffer

When sightseeing is safe

## Things to do in Istanbul

Light walking and dining near the hotel is usually fine 24–48 hours after laser. Avoid swimming, hammams, and dusty sites early in recovery.

Discharge and handover

## Returning home

Before you leave you receive an English discharge summary, drop schedule, and optometrist handover pack. Keep medication in hand luggage.

Video follow-up and local care

## Aftercare at home

Video reviews with your Istanbul surgeon at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months are included. Your local optometrist can perform refraction and eye health checks.

## Start your *international* pathway

Free eligibility check — surgeon-led assessment and transparent all-inclusive quote within 2 hours.

[Eligibility check →](https://iseeturkey.com/#hero-quiz) [Meet our surgeons](https://iseeturkey.com/doctors/)

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