ICL Cost: Egypt vs Turkey vs Dubai
EVO Visian ICL in Cairo, Egypt, starts from $1,000 per eye ($2,000–$3,000 for both eyes all-inclusive), while listings for Turkey-based clinics typically run $1,800–$3,500 per eye ($3,500–$7,000 for both eyes). Published Dubai/UAE pricing is thin — most providers quote only after consultation. All three destinations draw international patients for the same reason — lower operating costs, not lower clinical standards — using the same genuine STAAR Surgical lenses. This page lays out the actual numbers, lens authenticity, surgeon training, and candidacy side by side so you can weigh them against your own case.
We haven't visited or vetted specific clinics in Turkey or the UAE — the figures below come from published clinic and medical-tourism listings, cited in the references section. Get a written, itemized quote from any clinic you're considering, wherever it is, before comparing on price alone.
Price by lens type, per eye and both eyes
Egypt figures are Dr. Shaarawy's current, all-inclusive Cairo prices. Turkey and UAE figures are ranges drawn from clinic and medical-tourism listings — see references below.
| Lens / eyes | Egypt (Cairo) | Turkey | Dubai / UAE |
|---|---|---|---|
| EVO Visian ICL (one eye) | $1,000–$1,500 | $1,800–$3,500 | reported from ~$4,307* |
| EVO Visian ICL (both eyes) | $2,000–$3,000 | $3,500–$7,000 | not published — request quote |
| Toric ICL (one eye) | $1,200–$1,700 | $1,800–$3,500 (Toric premium varies by clinic) | not published — request quote |
| Toric ICL (both eyes) | $2,400–$3,400 | $3,500–$7,000 | not published — request quote |
*Dubai/UAE figure is from a single listed clinic and its per-eye-vs-bilateral basis isn't specified by the source — treat it as a rough reference point, not a quote. Ranges change frequently and depend heavily on exactly what's bundled (lens type, pre-op measurements, follow-up visits). Confirm current pricing directly with any clinic before deciding.
What else to weigh, beyond price
Price is one input. These are the factors that actually change your outcome and experience.
Price, per eye
$1,000–$1,700 all-inclusive (genuine STAAR lens, surgeon fee, OR fee, topical anesthesia, pre-op biometry, first post-op follow-up)
Turkey: $1,800–$3,500 per eye on aggregator/clinic listings. Dubai/UAE: only one clinic publishes a price ($4,307 starting, per-eye vs. bilateral basis unclear) — most UAE providers quote after consultation only
Lens authenticity & STAAR certification
Genuine STAAR Surgical EVO Visian ICL, imported directly from Switzerland with a unique serial number per lens and lifetime manufacturer warranty; certificate of authenticity provided at the post-op visit
STAAR-certified surgeons operate in both Turkey and the UAE at accredited hospitals — ask any clinic for the lens serial number and manufacturer paperwork before surgery, wherever you book
Surgeon training & case volume
Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy trained at Devers Eye Institute (Portland, Oregon), AAO-published (2014, Chicago), 5,000+ refractive procedures including ICL and Toric ICL
Both Turkey and the UAE have internationally trained refractive surgeons at reputable hospitals — subspecialty training and published case volume vary significantly by individual surgeon, so verify credentials before booking
Candidacy screening
A single comprehensive exam (Pentacam, IOL Master, anterior chamber depth) confirms candidacy — ICL is recommended specifically when LASIK is unsafe (thin cornea, high myopia, early keratoconus signs); the clinic will not sell ICL if a safer option exists
Reputable clinics in Turkey and Dubai run the same core measurements (topography, anterior chamber depth, endothelial cell count) before confirming candidacy — ask what's included in the quoted price vs. billed separately
Travel logistics
Cairo clinic ~30 minutes from Cairo International Airport; Erbil clinic (inside PAR Private Hospital) ~15 minutes from Erbil International Airport
Istanbul hospital hubs are typically 30–60 minutes from the nearest international airport; Dubai clinics cluster around Dubai Healthcare City, roughly 20–30 minutes from Dubai International Airport
Follow-up from abroad
Most patients see clearly within 24–48 hours; plan a 4–5 day stay (pre-op measurements + lens ordering, surgery day, week-1 check) with a written surgical report and medication schedule for your local ophthalmologist, plus an open WhatsApp line
Both Turkey- and UAE-based clinics typically provide a discharge report for the home-country ophthalmologist — request the same in writing (medication schedule, red-flags, direct contact line) before you travel
Reversibility
The ICL can be removed or exchanged at any time without permanent damage to the cornea — a key advantage over LASIK if your prescription changes later or cataract develops decades on
Reversibility is a property of the ICL itself, not the destination — true wherever the lens is implanted, as long as it's a genuine, correctly sized STAAR lens
Surgical outcomes depend on your specific diagnosis, corneal anatomy, and overall eye health — results may vary from patient to patient regardless of destination.
AAO-published surgeon — presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology (2014, Chicago)
Devers Eye Institute fellowship — Portland, Oregon, clinical and research training
5,000+ refractive procedures performed, including EVO Visian ICL and Toric ICL
Genuine STAAR Surgical EVO Visian ICL lenses — imported directly from Switzerland with lifetime warranty
Who ICL is actually for, vs LASIK
This decision matters more than which country you pick — get this right first, wherever you end up booking.
ICL is usually the better choice when:
- Your cornea is thin (under roughly 480µm) — not enough tissue to safely reshape with LASIK
- You have high myopia (-8 D or stronger) — LASIK correction gets less predictable at the extremes
- Topography shows early signs of keratoconus — removing corneal tissue is a risk LASIK can't take safely
- You want a reversible procedure — the lens can be removed or exchanged later; LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea
LASIK is usually the better choice when:
- Your cornea is thick enough and your prescription is mild-to-moderate — LASIK is faster to recover from and has a longer track record at scale
- You want zero implant inside the eye — some patients simply prefer nothing permanently placed behind the iris
- Your prescription has been stable and you're not a borderline high-myopia case
A single comprehensive exam — corneal topography, anterior chamber depth, and refraction — settles which procedure fits your eye. Neither option is universally "better"; the right one depends on your cornea.
Frequently asked questions
Is ICL surgery cheaper in Egypt or Turkey?
Based on published price ranges, Egypt runs lower: Dr. Shaarawy's Cairo clinic lists EVO Visian ICL from $1,000–$1,500 per eye ($2,000–$3,000 both eyes), while Turkey-based clinic and aggregator listings commonly run $1,800–$3,500 per eye ($3,500–$7,000 both eyes). Prices vary by clinic and exactly what's bundled — always request an itemized quote before comparing.
How much does EVO ICL cost in Dubai?
Published UAE pricing is limited — only one clinic (British Lasik and Cosmetic Surgery Center, via MyMediTravel) lists a figure, starting from $4,307, and it isn't clear whether that's per-eye or for both eyes. Most Dubai and Abu Dhabi providers, including larger hospital groups, quote ICL only after an in-person or video consultation. If Dubai is on your shortlist, get a written itemized quote before comparing.
Does a lower ICL price mean a lower-quality lens?
Not necessarily — clinic operating costs, staff salaries, and real-estate costs are structurally lower across Egypt and Turkey than in Western Europe, North America, or the Gulf, which is the main driver of the price gap. What actually varies between individual clinics is whether the lens is a genuine, serialized STAAR Surgical product and how experienced the specific surgeon is — ask for the lens serial number and the surgeon's case volume regardless of destination.
Is ICL or LASIK better for my case?
It depends on your cornea and prescription, not the destination country. ICL is generally the better option for thin corneas, high myopia (-8 D and stronger), early keratoconus signs, or if you want a reversible procedure. LASIK tends to suit thicker corneas and mild-to-moderate, stable prescriptions. A single comprehensive exam (topography, anterior chamber depth, corneal thickness) settles the question for your specific eye.
Is ICL reversible?
Yes — this is one of its main advantages over LASIK. The lens is designed to stay in the eye for life but can be removed or exchanged at any time without permanent damage to the cornea or other ocular structures, including years later if cataract develops or your prescription shifts.
How long do I need to stay abroad for ICL surgery?
In Cairo, most international patients plan 4–5 days total: 1–2 days for pre-op measurements and lens ordering, surgery day, and 1–2 days for the week-1 check before flying home. Ask any Turkey or UAE clinic for their specific minimum-stay recommendation, since lens-ordering lead times and follow-up protocols vary by provider.
What should I ask any ICL clinic — in Egypt, Turkey, or Dubai — before booking?
Ask for: the exact all-in price in writing (lens, surgeon fee, OR fee, pre-op measurements, follow-up visits — and what's excluded); confirmation the lens is a genuine, serialized STAAR Surgical product; the surgeon's specific refractive-surgery case volume; expected length of stay; and a written discharge/follow-up plan you can hand to your local ophthalmologist.
Can both eyes be done the same day, wherever I book?
Most clinics — including Dr. Shaarawy's in Cairo — do both eyes the same day for the vast majority of patients, staging them only for a specific medical reason (borderline measurements, patient anxiety, specialty cases). Confirm same-day vs. staged surgery with any clinic in advance, since it affects your total trip length.
Get a personalized estimate
Book your appointment
A few simple steps to book your consultation with Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy
Pricing sources & references
- Cornea Clinic — Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy. Egypt prices per /en/icl-cost, reviewed April 2026.
- Turkey Luxury Clinics — "How Much Does ICL Eye Surgery Cost in 2026? (EVO ICL Prices)" (turkeyluxuryclinics.com), accessed 2026-08-11: $1,800–$3,500 per eye, $3,500–$7,000 both eyes.
- Mapa Health — "ICL Lens Implant Turkey Cost 2026" (mapahealth.com), accessed 2026-08-11: from £1,550 single eye, from £2,580 both eyes (standard Visian ICL), from £3,010 both eyes (Toric).
- MyMediTravel — "Implantable Contact Lens (ICL) Clinics in Dubai | 2026 Prices" (mymeditravel.com), accessed 2026-08-11: starting from $4,307 at British Lasik and Cosmetic Surgery Center — the only Dubai clinic listed; per-eye vs. bilateral basis not specified by the source.
- Turkey and UAE figures are aggregator- and clinic-published ranges, not clinic-verified quotes — confirm current pricing directly before booking.