I've worn glasses since I was twelve. About three years into living in Rawai, a friend who'd moved here from Sydney had LASIK at Bangkok Hospital Phuket and wouldn't stop going on about it. Six months later, I finally booked my assessment. What I found was a modern ophthalmology department with equipment that wouldn't look out of place in London's Harley Street — at a fraction of the price.
This guide covers everything: which clinics offer LASIK in Phuket, exactly what procedures are available, what the pre-assessment involves, real 2026 prices, recovery expectations in a tropical climate, and what to watch out for. Whether you're an expat planning ahead or a visitor who wants to combine surgery with a holiday, read this before you book.
Why Phuket Is a Serious Option for Eye Surgery
Medical tourism in Phuket has grown significantly in the past decade, and ophthalmology is one of the stronger specialities. Bangkok Hospital Phuket — the island's main international hospital on Hongyok Uthit Road in Phuket Town — has a dedicated ophthalmology centre with certified surgeons, pre-operative scanning equipment, and post-operative follow-up protocols that meet international standards.
Siriroj Hospital, on the Phuket Town ring road, also offers refractive surgery consultations, though Bangkok Hospital is the more commonly recommended choice for expats due to its English-speaking staff and international patient services team.
The cost difference is substantial. A bilateral standard LASIK procedure in the UK runs £2,500–£4,000 (approximately ฿110,000–฿175,000 at current rates). The same procedure in Phuket typically costs ฿50,000–฿70,000 for both eyes. Even factoring in flights and accommodation, the maths often works in favour of combining surgery with a trip — and if you're already living here, it's simply a short drive to the hospital.
Types of Refractive Surgery Available in Phuket
Standard LASIK
The most common procedure. A microkeratome or femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap, which is lifted so an excimer laser can reshape the underlying corneal tissue. The flap is replaced and adheres naturally. Recovery is fast — most patients see clearly within 24–48 hours. Suitable for short-sight (myopia), long-sight (hyperopia), and astigmatism within certain ranges.
Wavefront-Guided (Custom) LASIK
A more refined version that maps the unique imperfections of your eye before surgery and adjusts the laser treatment accordingly. Reduces halos and glare more effectively than standard LASIK. Bangkok Hospital Phuket offers wavefront-guided LASIK as their premium option.
SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)
A keyhole variation that doesn't require a corneal flap. A tiny lenticule (lens-shaped piece of tissue) is removed through a small incision. Faster healing of corneal nerves and less dry-eye risk post-operatively. The most advanced option and correspondingly the most expensive — available at Bangkok Hospital Phuket for suitable candidates.
LASEK and PRK
Surface-based procedures without creating a flap. Longer recovery (vision takes a week or more to stabilise) and more discomfort in the first few days, but suitable for patients with thin corneas or active contact sports. Still available if standard LASIK isn't appropriate for you.
LASIK Prices in Phuket 2026: What You'll Actually Pay
These are the approximate prices at Bangkok Hospital Phuket as of early 2026. Always confirm at your pre-assessment as prices can be updated.
| Procedure | Cost Per Eye (฿) | Both Eyes (฿) | UK Equivalent (£) | Saving vs UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard LASIK | ฿25,000–฿30,000 | ฿50,000–฿60,000 | £1,200–£1,800/eye | ~60–65% |
| Wavefront-Guided LASIK | ฿32,000–฿40,000 | ฿64,000–฿80,000 | £1,800–£2,500/eye | ~60–70% |
| SMILE | ฿38,000–฿45,000 | ฿76,000–฿90,000 | £2,500–£3,500/eye | ~55–65% |
| LASEK / PRK | ฿22,000–฿28,000 | ฿44,000–฿56,000 | £1,000–£1,500/eye | ~55–65% |
| Pre-Assessment (deducted if surgery proceeds) | ฿2,000–฿4,000 | Typically included in UK quotes | — | |
The pre-assessment fee is usually credited against the surgery cost if you proceed. Ask to confirm this when booking. The prices above do not include post-operative medications (typically ฿1,500–฿3,000 for antibiotic and steroid eye drops).
The Pre-Assessment: What Happens and Why It Matters
You cannot book surgery without a pre-assessment, and this is not just a formality. The assessment determines whether you're a suitable candidate and, if so, which procedure is safest for your corneal profile.
What the Assessment Covers
- Corneal topography: Maps the curvature and thickness of your cornea. If your cornea is too thin for LASIK, you'll be recommended LASEK/PRK or SMILE instead.
- Refraction measurement: Your current prescription in both eyes.
- Pupil size: Large pupils can increase night-vision issues post-LASIK.
- Dry eye test (Schirmer test): LASIK can worsen dry eyes — this is screened beforehand.
- Ocular pressure check: Rules out glaucoma.
Important: Contact lens wearers must stop wearing soft contacts for at least 2 weeks before the assessment, and rigid gas-permeable lenses for 4 weeks. This allows the cornea to return to its natural shape so measurements are accurate. If you ignore this, your prescription mapping will be off and the surgery results may be compromised.
Who Is Not Suitable for LASIK
You won't be cleared for standard LASIK if you have: keratoconus (cone-shaped cornea), very thin corneas, severe dry eye, unstable prescription (changes year-on-year), or certain autoimmune conditions. This isn't a problem with Phuket specifically — these are universal exclusion criteria.
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Compare Health Plans — Get Free Quote →The Surgical Day: A Step-by-Step Walk-through
Surgery day at Bangkok Hospital Phuket is generally efficient and low-stress. Here's what to expect:
Arrival and Preparation
Arrive 30–45 minutes before your scheduled time. You'll need someone to drive you home — you won't be able to drive immediately after surgery. Bangkok Hospital's international patient services can help arrange a transfer if needed. You'll be given numbing drops and, if you prefer, a mild sedative.
The Procedure Itself
The actual laser time is typically 10–20 seconds per eye for the reshaping portion. The whole procedure from lying down to sitting up takes around 15–20 minutes for both eyes. Most patients report seeing the laser light but feeling no pain — pressure is common, sharp pain is not.
Immediately After
Your vision will be blurry and you'll be sensitive to light. You'll be given protective goggles and antibiotic/steroid eye drops. Most people can see well enough to watch TV or use their phone within a few hours, with full clarity returning overnight to 24 hours for standard LASIK.
Recovery in Phuket's Tropical Climate: What's Different
Recovering from LASIK in a tropical environment requires a few extra considerations that you wouldn't think about in, say, Manchester:
Sun Protection Is Non-Negotiable
Phuket's UV index sits at 10–12 (Extreme) during the dry season. Your eyes are more photosensitive for several weeks post-surgery. Invest in wrap-around sunglasses with UV400 protection. Central Festival and Jungceylon both have optical shops where you can pick up quality sunglasses — budget ฿500–฿2,500 for decent ones.
Swimming and Water Sports
No swimming — pool or sea — for at least 4 weeks after LASIK. This eliminates any risk of infection from pool chlorine or sea bacteria entering the healing corneal flap. If you're timing surgery around a trip, plan accordingly. SMILE has a slightly shorter restriction period as there's no flap, but 3–4 weeks is still prudent in Phuket's warm waters.
Air Conditioning and Dry Eyes
Phuket expats spend a lot of time in heavily air-conditioned environments. AC reduces humidity significantly and can exacerbate post-LASIK dry eyes. Use lubricating eye drops liberally for the first 3 months, carry a small bottle in your bag, and if you're working at a desk in a blasted AC room, consider a humidifier or reduce the AC intensity during the healing period.
Motorbike Riding
If you ride a motorbike in Phuket (and most long-term expats do), wear your helmet visor down or use protective glasses for the first few weeks. Dust and wind can irritate healing corneas.
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Download Free Checklist →Realistic Outcomes and What LASIK Won't Fix
The vast majority of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better. Around 95%+ are satisfied with their outcome. However, a realistic picture includes:
- Halos and starbursts at night: Common in the first 3–6 months, usually resolve fully. Wavefront-guided procedures reduce this risk.
- Temporary dry eyes: Very common. Usually resolves within 6 months with lubricating drops. SMILE has the lowest dry-eye incidence.
- Reading glasses may still be needed after 40: LASIK corrects distance vision but doesn't prevent presbyopia (age-related near vision loss). If you're 45+, discuss monovision LASIK or other options.
- Enhancement surgery: Around 5% of patients need a touch-up procedure. Ask Bangkok Hospital whether this is included or at additional cost.
Combining LASIK with a Phuket Holiday
Plenty of visitors plan LASIK around a Phuket trip. If this is you, plan for a minimum of 10–14 days in Phuket: 2–3 days before surgery to complete the assessment (you need a clear day between assessment and surgery), surgery day, then at least a week of recovery before flying.
Stay somewhere with good AC control and low dust — a serviced apartment in Rawai, Chalong, or Bang Tao is preferable to a crowded hostel. Avoid Patong for recovery if you can; it's noisier and dustier than the quieter south or west coast.
Flying after LASIK: most surgeons say 24–48 hours is sufficient before flying for standard LASIK, though 1 week is more comfortable. Use lubricating drops on the flight as cabin air is extremely dry.
💬 Questions About Getting LASIK in Phuket?
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Ask Us Anything →Comparing LASIK in Phuket vs Thailand's Other Cities
Bangkok has a larger number of specialist eye clinics (TRSC, Rutnin, Lasik Centre on Asoke) with more competition and sometimes lower prices. However, for expats already living in Phuket, the convenience of Bangkok Hospital Phuket outweighs any marginal price advantage in Bangkok. If you're specifically visiting Thailand for LASIK and cost is your primary driver, Bangkok may offer slightly more options — but Phuket is perfectly capable and far more pleasant for recovery.
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