San Raffaele
Laser surgery in Italy typically costs from $7,000 to $14,000. The final price depends on the specific medical field, technology used, and clinic location. Patients save around 51% compared to the US, where costs average $21,500. Standard Italian laser packages usually include the procedure, initial specialist consultations, and essential follow-up exams.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a research-led hospital provides exceptional value. San Raffaele in Milan holds IRCCS accreditation and performs over 52,000 operations annually. While peak prices in Milan reach $7,000, clinics like Maria Cecilia Hospital offer JCI-accredited excellence. This facility handles 15% of Italy's cardiac surgeries. Booking near Bologna often provides a 10% saving on premium private care.
Why choose Italy for laser surgery?
Access advanced Laser surgery solutions in trusted clinics .
| Italy | Turkey | Austria | |
| Laser surgery | from $7,000 | from $2,520 | from $8,500 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Laser surgery upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
Bookimed is committed to your safety. We only work with medical institutions that maintain high international standards in Laser surgery and have the necessary licenses to serve international patients worldwide.
Bookimed offers free expert assistance. A personal medical coordinator supports you before, during, and after your treatment, solving any issues. You're never alone on your Laser surgery journey.
Day 1 - Arrival
Day 2 - Pre-Operation Consultation
Day 3 - Laser Surgery
Day 4 - Post-Operation
Week 1 - Rehabilitation
Week 2 - Rehabilitation
Week 3 - Final Result
Please note that each patient"s experience may vary based on individual circumstances.
Laser surgery in Italy is exceptionally safe, with complication rates under 1 percent. Most patients experience high precision and minimal scarring in JCI-accredited facilities. While major risks like corneal ectasia are rare, temporary side effects include dry eyes and visual disturbances like halos or glare.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many seek low-cost options, the safest results come from research-heavy hubs. San Raffaele in Milan performs over 52,000 operations annually across all specialties. This high volume often correlates with better management of rare risks like corneal ectasia. Patients with thin corneas should specifically ask about PRK to avoid flap-related complications.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need for stable vision for 12 months before proceeding. Many suggest budgeting for long-term artificial tears to manage prolonged dry eye symptoms.
Qualified Italian laser surgeons must hold a six-year medical degree (Laurea in Medicina e Chirurgia) and active registration with the Provincial Medical Council (OMCeO). Specialist certification (Specialista) in ophthalmology or plastic surgery is essential, alongside mandatory professional liability insurance under the Gelli-Bianco law.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian medical excellence often clusters in research-heavy facilities like San Raffaele in Milan, which performs over 52,000 operations annually. Choosing a surgeon at an IRCCS-accredited hospital ensures they participate in clinical research, which often correlates with higher surgical precision and access to newer laser technologies.
Patient Consensus: Experienced patients recommend prioritizing surgeons with a high annual volume of 500+ procedures over those with generalist titles. Seeking surgeons who trained in university-affiliated hospitals may help reduce risks like post-operative dry eye.
Laser surgery in Italy provides high-definition results with 80-90% of patients achieving 20/20 vision. Effects are long-term but not always permanent due to age-related changes. Most patients enjoy stable correction for 10-15 years within Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited Italian facilities.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian research hospitals like San Raffaele handle over 52,000 operations annually. This high volume often leads to better risk management. For long-term success, ensure your clinic provides a corneal topography map. This prevents future issues like ectasia if your corneas are thin.
Patient Consensus: Many patients report significant lifestyle improvements despite temporary dry eyes. Most advise viewing this as a decade-long solution rather than a lifetime fix.
Laser surgery recovery in Italy typically requires 1 to 3 weeks for returning to daily routines. While initial healing is fast, full stabilization often takes 3 to 6 months. Italian research hospitals like San Raffaele utilize advanced laser-assisted techniques to minimize downtime and enhance patient outcomes.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian clinics like Maria Cecilia Hospital hold Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, ensuring high-standard post-op protocols. Analysis shows that clinics performing 50,000+ operations annually, like San Raffaele, provide more structured recovery instructions. This systematic approach helps patients manage minor symptoms like light sensitivity more effectively.
Patient Consensus: Patients report that while recovery feels deceptively fast, strictly following the drop schedule is vital. Common experiences include temporary dry eyes and light sensitivity that require long-term artificial tears.
Good candidates for laser surgery in Italy have stable vision for at least 1 year and healthy corneal thickness. You are ruled out if you have thin corneas, uncontrolled diabetes, or autoimmune diseases. Surgeons also defer patients during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to hormonal fluctuations.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian clinics like San Raffaele maintain strict, conservative screening protocols. This results in a 20-30% patient rejection rate. They prioritize safety by requiring advanced Pentacam scans and Schirmer tests. Always have your pre-operative exam at the specific Italian clinic. Local specialists may catch subtle issues that general optometrists might overlook.
Patient Consensus: Many patients find a year-long stable prescription is non-negotiable. Most recommend stopping soft contact lens wear for 2-4 weeks before your final screening.
Laser surgery in Italy utilizes advanced femtosecond and excimer lasers for precise tissue reshaping. Sessions typically last 15 minutes, involving automated corneal mapping and rapid laser application. Specialized clinics in Milan and Bologna use bladeless technology like Ziemer FEMTO LDV to ensure high safety standards.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian surgical centers like San Raffaele prioritize high-speed diagnostic mapping before the laser starts. This automated 5-minute step creates a digital roadmap for the laser. It eliminates manual errors and explains why these clinics maintain such high surgical volumes safely.
Patient Consensus: Many patients describe a calm, guided 15-minute experience but emphasize bringing dark sunglasses. The immediate post-op light sensitivity is a very common practical reality after the session ends.
Milan and Rome are Italy's premier hubs for advanced laser technology. Milan, the national leader in Lombardy, offers academic-level expertise at IRCCS research hospitals. Rome provides specialized private care at international facilities like UPMC Salvator Mundi. Florence and Bologna also host renowned centers for vision correction.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Lombardy represents a unique industrial and clinical cluster for laser treatments. It is home to world-renowned manufacturer Quanta System. This manufacturer provides state-of-the-art laser technology to clinics worldwide. This proximity often gives local Milan-based clinics earlier access to technical innovations.
Patient Consensus: Milan and Northern Italy are most frequently noted for aesthetic laser treatments. Patients typically rely on dermatologist referrals rather than general city reputations for choosing care.