ReLEx SMILE Pro treatment in Switzerland

ReLEx SMILE Pro

Flavio Sonanini
Reviewed by Flavio Sonanini, Medical Travel Expert|Updated: January 2026

ReLEx SMILE Pro is the evolution of SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction). It creates a small lenticule within the cornea using a femtosecond laser and removes it through a tiny 2-4mm incision—all without creating a flap like LASIK. This flapless approach offers faster recovery and fewer complications.

What is ReLEx SMILE Pro?

ReLEx SMILE Pro is the evolution of SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction). It creates a small lenticule within the cornea using a femtosecond laser and removes it through a tiny 2-4mm incision—all without creating a flap like LASIK. This flapless approach offers faster recovery and fewer complications.

What to Know Before You Go

💡 Pro Tip: Schedule your procedure early in your Turkey trip to allow for follow-up appointments before returning home. Most patients are cleared to fly within 24-48 hours.

⚠️ Insider Note: Not everyone is a candidate for SMILE Pro. Some patients may be better suited for LASIK or PRK based on their corneal thickness and prescription. A thorough examination determines the best option.

Cost of ReLEx SMILE Pro in Turkey

Treatment
Turkey
UK
USA
Savings
SMILE Pro (both eyes)
€1,500-€2,500
£4,000-€6,000
$5,000-€8,000
55-65%
Enhanced package + stay
€2,000-€3,000
£5,000-€7,000
$6,500-€10,000
55-65%

Savings: Turkey offers 55-65% savings on SMILE Pro compared to UK/USA prices.

What's Included

SMILE Pro packages in Turkey typically cover:

Comprehensive eye examination
Candidacy assessment
SMILE Pro procedure (both eyes)
Post-operative eye drops
Follow-up appointments
Hotel accommodation (3-5 nights)
Airport transfers

Benefits

Flapless procedure—no flap complications
Smaller incision (2-4mm vs 20mm LASIK)
Less dry eye than LASIK
Faster treatment—10 seconds per eye
Permanent vision correction
Both eyes done in one session
Rapid visual recovery
55-65% savings vs UK/USA

The Procedure

Step 1 – Examination: Comprehensive eye exam and candidacy assessment.

Step 2 – Preparation: Numbing drops applied, positioning under laser.

Step 3 – Laser Treatment: Femtosecond laser creates lenticule within cornea (10 seconds/eye).

Step 4 – Removal: Lenticule removed through tiny 2-4mm incision.

Total time: 10-15 minutes for both eyes.

Recovery & Downtime

Day 1: Mild discomfort, blurry vision (normal)
Day 2-3: Vision improving rapidly
Week 1: Most activities resumed
Month 1-3: Vision stabilizes to final clarity

Potential Side Effects

Mild discomfort for 24-48 hours (occurs in 60-80% of patients)
Temporary blurry vision (occurs in 80-90%, clears within days)
Dry eye sensation (occurs in 20-40%, less than LASIK)
Light sensitivity (occurs in 30-50% initially)
Halos or glare at night (occurs in 10-20%, usually temporary)
Rare: Under/over-correction requiring enhancement (occurs in 2-5%)

Is ReLEx SMILE Pro Right for You?

Ideal candidates:

Adults 18+ with stable prescription
Myopia up to -10 diopters
Astigmatism up to -5 diopters
Adequate corneal thickness
Realistic expectations

Not suitable for:

Hyperopia (farsightedness)
Very thin corneas
Unstable prescriptions
Certain eye conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What prescriptions can SMILE Pro correct?

SMILE Pro effectively corrects myopia (nearsightedness) up to -10 diopters and astigmatism up to -5 diopters. It currently doesn't treat hyperopia (farsightedness).

Is SMILE Pro better than LASIK?

For suitable candidates, SMILE Pro offers advantages: no flap creation (eliminating flap complications), less dry eye post-surgery, and faster recovery. Your surgeon will advise which is best for you.

How long does vision improvement take?

Most patients see clearly within 24-48 hours. Full visual stabilization takes 1-3 months as the cornea heals and settles.

Is the procedure painful?

No pain during the procedure—numbing drops ensure comfort. You may feel some pressure sensation. Mild discomfort for 24-48 hours afterward is normal.

How long do results last?

Results are permanent for most patients. The correction doesn't "wear off." However, natural age-related changes like presbyopia (reading glasses) still occur after age 40-45.

Can both eyes be done at once?

Yes, it's standard practice to treat both eyes in one session. This is safe and means only one recovery period.

What are the risks?

Common but temporary: dry eye, halos/glare at night. Rare: under/over-correction requiring enhancement (2-5%). Very rare: infection, significant vision problems (<0.1%).

When can I return to work?

Most patients return to desk work within 1-3 days. Avoid screen strain initially. Full recovery for all activities takes about a week.

Is This Right For You?

"Adults 18+ with stable myopia up to -10 diopters and/or astigmatism up to -5 diopters with adequate corneal thickness."

Benefits

Flapless procedure—no flap complications

Smaller incision (2-4mm vs 20mm LASIK)

Less dry eye than LASIK

Faster treatment—10 seconds per eye

Permanent vision correction

Both eyes done in one session

Rapid visual recovery

55-65% savings vs UK/USA

The Process

Procedure

Step 1: Comprehensive eye exam and candidacy assessment.

Step 2: Numbing drops applied, positioning under laser.

Step 3: Femtosecond laser creates lenticule within cornea.

Step 4: Lenticule removed through tiny incision (2-4mm).

Duration: 10-15 minutes total for both eyes.

Recovery & Downtime

Day 1: Mild discomfort, blurry vision. Day 2-3: Vision improving rapidly. Week 1: Most activities resumed. Month 1-3: Vision stabilizes to final clarity.

Potential Side Effects

  • Mild discomfort for 24-48 hours (occurs in 60-80% of patients)
  • Temporary blurry vision (occurs in 80-90%, clears within days)
  • Dry eye sensation (occurs in 20-40%, less than LASIK)
  • Light sensitivity (occurs in 30-50% initially)
  • Halos or glare at night (occurs in 10-20%, usually temporary)
  • Rare: Under/over-correction requiring enhancement (occurs in 2-5%)

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Clinics for ReLEx SMILE Pro

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    ReLEx SMILE Pro Turkey 2026: Save 55-65%