Eye Surgery (LASIK & Cataract)

Eye Surgery Abroad: 14-Point Checklist

LASIK, SMILE and cataract surgery are short procedures with high success rates — but equipment, surgeon experience and follow-up rigour are what separate clinics.

Last updated 1 May 2026Reviewed by cliniccheck editorial teamHow we research Editorial policy

When to use this checklist

Use this 14-point list before booking LASIK, SMILE, PRK or cataract surgery abroad. Refractive surgery is volume-sensitive: surgeons with ≥1,000 cases per year and current laser platforms (Zeiss VisuMax, Wavelight EX500, Schwind Amaris) deliver excellent outcomes. The risk is in poor patient selection — thin corneas or keratoconus being accepted for LASIK when they should not be.

How to use it

Confirm the laser platform and surgeon volume before booking. Insist on full pre-op imaging (topography, pachymetry, dry-eye assessment) before any surgical decision. Antibiotic and steroid drops must be prescribed in writing with a clear taper schedule before you fly home.

Red flags — walk away if you see these

No corneal topography or pachymetry done.
Cataract surgery offered without IOL choice explained.
Surgery same day as consultation, no pre-op tests.
Marketing "20/20 guarantee" — refraction outcomes vary.

Before surgery

Confirm the laser platform: Zeiss VisuMax (SMILE), Wavelight EX500, Schwind Amaris are mainstream.
Older platforms still work but ask why.
Surgeon performs ≥1,000 cases per year.
Refractive surgery is volume-sensitive. Ask for the number.
Full pre-op assessment: topography, pachymetry, dry-eye work-up.
20-minute "screenings" are not adequate.
Realistic candidacy assessment.
Thin corneas, high myopia and keratoconus may rule out LASIK. A good clinic will turn patients away.

The procedure and after

Sterile theatre, single-use blades.
Femtosecond lasers reduce risk further — ask which is used.
Antibiotic and steroid drops prescribed in writing.
Aftercare drops are essential, not optional.
Follow-up at day 1, week 1, month 1, month 3.
Online review is acceptable for later visits.
No flying within 24 hours; no swimming for 2 weeks.
Your clinic should give you a written restriction list.

Ready to compare clinics?

Use this checklist alongside our directory of clinics. Listing is not endorsement — always verify accreditation yourself.

See Eye Surgery (LASIK & Cataract) clinics

Frequently asked questions

What is the main risk in refractive surgery abroad?

Poor patient selection rather than poor surgery. LASIK, SMILE and PRK have high success rates, but thin corneas or undiagnosed keratoconus accepted for LASIK is where serious harm comes from — and only a proper pre-operative work-up catches it.

What pre-operative tests are non-negotiable?

Corneal topography and pachymetry. Their absence is a red flag on its own: without mapping the corneal surface and measuring its thickness, nobody can say whether you are a candidate. Surgery on the same day as consultation with no pre-op testing is the pattern to avoid.

Does surgeon volume matter for laser eye surgery?

Yes — refractive surgery is volume-sensitive. Surgeons performing 1,000 or more cases a year on current laser platforms such as the Zeiss VisuMax, Alcon WaveLight EX500 or Schwind Amaris deliver excellent outcomes.

What should I ask before cataract surgery specifically?

For the intraocular lens options to be explained and the manufacturer and model named. Cataract surgery offered without a discussion of IOL choice is a red flag: the lens is the component that stays in your eye for life.