LASIK cost in Egypt, 2026 prices
LASIK in Cairo from $300, both eyes, all-inclusive.
LASIK is a laser vision-correction procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct myopia and hyperopia. In Cairo with Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy it costs $300 to $1,400 (14,700 to 68,600 EGP) for both eyes depending on the technique: Microkeratome LASIK $300 to $500, Femto LASIK $600 to $1,100, SMILE Pro $900 to $1,400, or PRK and TransPRK $500 to $900, all-inclusive.
Microkeratome, Femto LASIK, SMILE Pro, or PRK, Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy will recommend the right technique for your prescription and corneal anatomy. The same FDA-cleared laser platforms used in Western Europe, with a fellowship-trained surgeon who has two surgical videos in the AAO video library. Get a personalized USD estimate in 60 seconds.
Why Dr. Shaarawy for LASIK
Two surgical technique videos in the AAO video library
Devers Eye Institute fellowship: Portland, Oregon (corneal & refractive surgery)
Latest-generation Femto LASIK and SMILE Pro platforms, same as major US/EU centers
Peer-reviewed keratoconus research (2024), more than 20 years of experience
LASIK cost by technique
All prices are USD for both eyes, all-inclusive. EGP equivalents shown at the April 2026 exchange rate (~49 EGP/USD).
Microkeratome LASIK
Traditional blade-flap LASIK
≈ EGP 14,700-24,500
Procedure: 10-15 min
Recovery: 24-48 hrs
Best for: Mild to moderate myopia/hyperopia · normal corneal thickness
Femto LASIK
Bladeless femtosecond flap
≈ EGP 29,400-53,900
Procedure: 10-15 min
Recovery: 24-48 hrs
Best for: Most prescriptions, current global gold standard
SMILE Pro
Flapless lenticule extraction
≈ EGP 44,100-68,600
Procedure: 10-15 min
Recovery: 24-48 hrs
Best for: Myopia · athletes · dusty environments · dry-eye risk
PRK / TransPRK
Surface ablation, no flap
≈ EGP 24,500-44,100
Procedure: 10-15 min
Recovery: 5-7 days
Best for: Thin corneas · military / contact-sport professions
| Technique | USD (both eyes) | ≈ EGP | Procedure time | Recovery | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most affordable Microkeratome LASIK Traditional blade-flap LASIK | $300-500 | EGP 14,700-24,500 | 10-15 min | 24-48 hrs | Mild to moderate myopia/hyperopia · normal corneal thickness |
| Gold standard Femto LASIK Bladeless femtosecond flap | $600-1,100 | EGP 29,400-53,900 | 10-15 min | 24-48 hrs | Most prescriptions, current global gold standard |
| Flapless SMILE Pro Flapless lenticule extraction | $900-1,400 | EGP 44,100-68,600 | 10-15 min | 24-48 hrs | Myopia · athletes · dusty environments · dry-eye risk |
| Thin-cornea option PRK / TransPRK Surface ablation, no flap | $500-900 | EGP 24,500-44,100 | 10-15 min | 5-7 days | Thin corneas · military / contact-sport professions |
* USD prices are quoted directly. EGP shown at ~49 EGP/USD (April 2026).
What's included in the price
Included
Surgeon fee
Dr. Shaarawy, full procedure planning and execution
OR & facility fee
Accredited surgical center with modern laser platforms
Pre-op diagnostics
Pentacam topography, pachymetry, refraction, dry-eye screening
Topical anesthesia
Drops only, no injections, no general anesthesia
Week-1 medications
Antibiotic, steroid, and lubricant drops
First follow-up visit
Day-after exam + week-1 check
+Possible add-ons
Post-op protective sunglasses
Long-term lubricant drops (after week 1)
Follow-up visits at month 3 and 6 (if clinically needed)
Touch-up enhancement after 6 months (rare cases)
Hotel, flights, and visa fees for international patients
Annual routine eye exams thereafter
Medical-tourism package
International patients: ask about our all-in package, surgery + 3-night hotel + airport transfers. Quoted on request via WhatsApp.
Cairo vs UK, Western Europe & Turkey
Same FDA-cleared laser platforms. Same internationally trained expertise. A fraction of the cost.
| Cairo Dr. Shaarawy | UK | W. Europe | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Femto LASIK | $600-$1,100 | $3,500-$5,500 | $2,800-$4,500 | $1,200-$1,800 |
| SMILE Pro | $900-$1,400 | $4,500-$6,500 | $3,500-$5,500 | $1,500-$2,200 |
| PRK / TransPRK | $500-$900 | $3,000-$4,500 | $2,500-$4,000 | $900-$1,300 |
| Avg. stay required | 4-5 days | n/a (local) | 5-7 days | 4-6 days |
Cairo prices are typically 70-80% lower than UK and Western Europe, for the same procedure, on the same hardware.
A surgeon with two videos in the AAO video library, trained at Devers Eye Institute
Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy completed a research and clinical fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at the Devers Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon, under Prof. Mark A. Terry, a co-developer of modern endothelial keratoplasty. He has two surgical technique videos in the AAO video library, has 20+ years in refractive surgery, and routinely treats international patients flying in from the Gulf, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, and beyond.
When you choose LASIK in Cairo, you're paying Egyptian operating costs, not trading down on expertise for Western-standard refractive surgery. That's the only thing that's different.
International patient questions
How much does LASIK cost in Cairo, Egypt?
LASIK cost in Cairo with Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy runs 14,700 to 68,600 EGP for both eyes, depending on the technique: Microkeratome LASIK 14,700-24,500 EGP, Femto LASIK 29,400-53,900 EGP, SMILE Pro 44,100-68,600 EGP, and PRK/TransPRK 24,500-44,100 EGP (roughly $300-$1,400 USD). The price includes the surgeon fee, OR fee, pre-op diagnostics, topical anesthesia, week-1 medications, and the first follow-up visit. Final pricing is confirmed after corneal thickness measurement and refraction.
Why does LASIK cost less in Cairo than in London, New York, or Berlin?
Lower clinic operating costs and staff salaries in Egypt, not lower clinical standards. We use the same FDA-cleared excimer and femtosecond laser platforms found in major Western centers (the same Zeiss, Schwind, and Alcon hardware). Dr. Shaarawy was fellowship-trained at Devers Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon, and follows international AAO and ESCRS protocols. You're paying for the same technology and the same training, just at Egyptian cost-of-living prices.
How long do I need to stay in Cairo as an international patient?
For Femto LASIK or SMILE Pro: 4-5 days minimum (consultation + pre-op exam + procedure + 24-hour post-op check). For PRK / TransPRK: plan 7 days due to slower epithelial healing. After that, follow-up moves to your local ophthalmologist with our written protocol, most international patients only return for the 1- and 3-month checks if at all, and many never need to return.
What is included in the price: are there hidden fees?
The quoted price includes: surgeon fee, OR & facility fee, pre-op diagnostics (Pentacam, pachymetry, refraction), topical anesthesia, all medications during the first post-op week, and the first follow-up visit. Not included: protective sunglasses, long-term lubricant drops, follow-ups beyond week 1, touch-up enhancements, hotel, flights, and visa fees. Everything is disclosed in writing before your procedure, no hidden charges.
Does my insurance cover LASIK in Egypt?
LASIK is classified globally as elective refractive surgery, and most international insurance plans (US, UK, EU, Gulf) do not cover it. Some plans cover PRK in specific medical cases (mild keratoconus, contact-lens intolerance with documented functional impairment). We provide detailed medical documentation for any insurance submission, but you should plan to pay out-of-pocket as the safer assumption.
What is the difference between Femto LASIK, SMILE Pro, and PRK?
Femto LASIK ($600-$1,100) creates a thin corneal flap with a femtosecond laser, then reshapes the cornea with an excimer laser. It is the most common technique today and has the fastest recovery. SMILE Pro ($900-$1,400) is flapless: a small 2 mm incision is used to remove a lenticule, less risk of dry eye and faster return to athletic activity. PRK ($500-$900) is a surface treatment with no flap, slower recovery (5-7 days) but the safest option for thin corneas. Dr. Shaarawy will recommend the right one after your exam. It is a clinical decision, not a price decision.
How long does recovery take, and when can I fly home?
Femto LASIK and SMILE Pro: vision typically improves within 24-48 hours, most patients are cleared to fly home after the day-1 check (so 4-5 days total in Cairo). PRK / TransPRK: epithelium needs 5-7 days to fully heal, so plan a 7-day stay before flying. Final visual outcomes for all three techniques are equivalent, only recovery speed differs.
Are LASIK results permanent?
LASIK permanently corrects your current prescription in the vast majority of patients. We require at least 12 months of stable refraction before proceeding, if your prescription is still drifting, it can change again post-LASIK. Age-related presbyopia (the need for reading glasses after roughly age 45) is a separate biological process not prevented by LASIK; if you're already in that age range, we'll discuss monovision or near-vision options during consultation.
Presbyopia and reading vision optionsPrices are estimates and the examination sets the final cost. Results vary from one patient to another.
Ready to plan your LASIK in Cairo?
Send your current prescription on WhatsApp and we'll come back with a personalized USD quote, the recommended technique, and a suggested travel window, usually within a few hours.
The consultation itself is 1,500 EGP (about $30).
Pricing references
- Cornea Clinic internal pricing, 2026 rates.
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. Refractive Surgery Preferred Practice Pattern.Ophthalmology. 2023;130(3):P61-P135 (PMID 36543604).
- EGP/USD conversions calculated at the April 2026 exchange rate (~49 EGP/USD).