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In brief

Laser eye surgery: the essentials in 60 seconds

Laser eye surgery corrects the refractive power of the eye by reshaping the cornea by a few micrometres with a laser. At EyeLaser in Zurich, SmartSight, Femto-LASIK, Trans-PRK and ReLEx SMILE are available for this. If the cornea is not suitable, the ICL lens comes into question; from about 45 PresbyMAX or a lens exchange. Which procedure fits is decided not by the dioptre value alone but by corneal thickness and shape, tear film, age and your visual demands in everyday life. All prices are per eye. A laser treatment costs between CHF 1’500 (Trans-PRK) and CHF 3’000 (SmartSight NOVA) depending on the procedure; SmartSight Standard is CHF 2’500, Femto-LASIK Standard CHF 1’800. The ICL lens costs CHF 4’500 per eye, PresbyMAX CHF 3’300 per eye, a lens exchange CHF 5’000 per eye. All figures are fixed prices including the follow-up checks of the first three months; the pre-examination costs CHF 300 once and is credited towards a treatment. Treatment takes place at a single location in Zurich, Strehlgasse 33 in Kreis 1; patients travel from all over Switzerland. (As of September 2026)

Straight to the point:Am I suitable? →Which method fits? →Which results are documented? →Costs and instalments →Frequently asked questions →
Medically reviewed by Dr. med. univ. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO · Last updated: 13 September 2026
20’000+procedures performed personally by Dr Derhartunian
4,9 / 5from 118 Google reviewsAs of September 2026
Fixed priceThe price after the pre-examination is the final price, including three months of follow-up
Kreis 1Strehlgasse 33, two minutes on foot from Paradeplatz
Check suitability044 221 95 02
Suitability

Am I suitable? The EyeLaser traffic light

A first assessment in one minute. It becomes binding only after your cornea has been measured; the full pre-examination shows which procedure suits your eyes.

Green light

Very good prerequisites

You are between 18 and 60 years old. Your prescription has been stable for at least twelve months. Your cornea is sufficiently thick and regularly shaped. No eye disease such as keratoconus, cataract or glaucoma. Realistic expectations of the result.

Amber light

The work-up decides

You tend to dry eyes. Your cornea is rather thin. An autoimmune disease is present. Your pupils are very wide in the dark. Then diagnostics and the choice of procedure decide, often SmartSight without a flap or the ICL lens.

Red light

No laser, but an alternative

Unstable prescription. Diagnosed keratoconus or another corneal disease. Advanced cataract or glaucoma. Pregnancy or breastfeeding. For many of these patients the ICL lens is the safe alternative, likewise without glasses.

Book the pre-examination Book a free first consultation

Our procedures

The laser eye surgery methods at EyeLaser Zurich

Four laser procedures and one lens solution, all in-house. We recommend the method that suits your eyes, not the one that happens to be available.

SmartSight and SmartSight NOVAThe most modern, without a flapLenticule extraction through a 2-millimetre opening. No flap, hence no flap-related risks, quickly fit for everyday life, particularly gentle on the tear film. NOVA with CenTrax centration for pronounced astigmatism.CHF 2’500 to 3’000 · To the method →Femto-LASIK 7DThe classicThe most frequently performed procedure worldwide, with us using the 7D eye tracker. Usually sharp by the following day, also suitable for long-sightedness.CHF 1’800 to 2’500 · To the method →Trans-PRK with SmartSurfACEThe simplest, touch-freeThe laser shapes the cornea from the surface, without an incision and without contact. First choice for thin corneas, contact sport and professions with injury risk; healing takes a few days longer.CHF 1’500 to 2’500 · To the method →ReLEx SMILE and SMILE proThe comparisonZeiss lenticule extraction in an honest comparison with SmartSight: similarities, differences, and why we chose SCHWIND technology.CHF 2’500 · To the method →PresbyMAXPresbyopia from 45Laser correction of presbyopia: replace distance and reading glasses in one procedure while the natural lens is still clear.CHF 3’300 · To the method →ICL, the phakic lensWhen laser is not an optionFor high prescriptions or a thin cornea: an additional lens in the eye, reversible, the cornea remains untouched.CHF 4’500 · To the method →

By refractive error: Short-sightedness · Long-sightedness · Astigmatism · Presbyopia  |  For your decision: All prices · Health insurance · Treatment process · Testimonials

Decision aid

Which procedure suits you?

This overview does not replace an examination, but it shows you the direction things usually take from your starting point. The binding recommendation arises only after your cornea has been measured.

Your starting point Procedure of first choice Why
Short-sightedness up to about −10 D, normal corneal thickness SmartSight No corneal flap, so flap-related risks do not arise; small opening
You need full visual acuity back very quickly Femto-LASIK Usually fit for everyday life the next day; the most established procedure
Thin cornea, martial arts, profession with injury risk Trans-PRK or SmartSight No flap that could shift on impact; corneal structure preserved to the maximum
Very high values (over −10 D) or cornea too thin for laser ICL lens The cornea remains untouched; the lens can be removed again if needed
Markedly dry eyes SmartSight, after pre-treatment Fewer corneal nerves are cut than with flap procedures; we treat dry eyes first
From about 45: reading glasses annoy, distance still good PresbyMAX Laser-based correction of presbyopia, the natural lens is preserved
From about 50, or the natural lens is already clouding Lens exchange Solves presbyopia and prevents cataract at the same time
What the examination decides, and not you or we: We measure your cornea with the MS-39 and the Anterion: front surface, back surface and epithelial thickness. Only these values show which procedure is safe for your eye. That is why we tell you the binding price only after the pre-examination and not before.

Laser eye surgery for maximum visual freedom – without glasses or contact lenses

Eye laser surgery in Zurich with uncompromising quality and Swiss precision. And all at fair eye laser costs.

Results

What research shows about the procedures

Documented results per procedure, with source. The figures come from different studies and are not directly comparable with one another.

up to 98 %

SmartSight: 20/20 or better without correction

systematic review of six case series, 877 eyes, SCHWIND ATOS; range 59 to 98 % depending on series and time of measurement. PubMed 42573219

90.8 %

Femto-LASIK: 20/20 or better without correction

Sandoval et al. 2016, 97 publications, 67’893 eyes; 99.5 % better than 20/40, 0.61 % loss of two or more lines. PubMed 27531300

96 %

Trans-PRK with SmartSurfACE: 20/20 or better without correction

after six months, 98 % achieved 20/25 or better. Margarit et al. 2024, PubMed 39459588

87.5 %

ReLEx SMILE: 20/20 or better without correction

US approval study, 328 eyes, six months (FDA P150040); with the newer device generation VisuMax 800 93.2 %, 473 eyes, authors are consultants to the manufacturer. PubMed 40067668

These figures come from published studies and are not our own data. Study populations differ in baseline values, time of measurement and definition of the outcome, so the figures are not directly comparable with one another. What is realistic for your eye, we tell you after the pre-examination.

Procedure for laser eye surgery with Swiss precision

Free consultation

Together, we will identify your needs and discuss possible treatments. In the first free consultation, you will get to know our practice and can clarify all the questions you have about laser treatments. We are also happy to conduct the consultation online as a video conference.

Preliminary examination

In this personal conversation with the specialist, possible options for eye surgery will be explained to you and all relevant data will be recorded:

  • Complex ophthalmologic examination
  • Your exact eyeglass prescription
  • Digital retinal examination and pressure measurement
  • Measurement of the eye (biometry, topography, OCT, corneal pattern, tomography, wavefront)

Important for the preliminary examination for laser eye surgery:

  • Please do not wear soft contact lenses for 1 week before the preliminary examination.
  • Please do not wear hard contact lenses for 4 weeks before the preliminary examination.
  • Please do not wear Ortho-K contact lenses for 3 months before the preliminary examination.
  • Eye drops that dilate your pupils are used for the examination. Afterwards, your eyes will be more sensitive to light for 4 hours and you should not drive or operate machinery.
Operation method
Choice of surgical method

After the preliminary examination, you will find out whether you are suitable for laser eye surgery or lens surgery and which method is most likely to be recommended to you. We will inform you about the course of the operation, the risks and side effects and the follow-up treatment. Of course, we will also be happy to answer all your questions!

You can then make an appointment for an operation either on site or – after sufficient time to think it over – by telephone. We make every effort to accommodate patients as well as possible when making appointments. The waiting time between the preliminary examination and the operation is between one day and a few weeks – whichever you prefer. Contact lenses can be worn again after the preliminary examination.

Before your treatment:

  • Please do not wear soft contact lenses for 2 days before the operation.
  • Please do not wear hard contact lenses for 7 days before the operation.
Your laser eye surgery

On the day of the operation, you will come to our practice with an accompanying person. Please refrain from using face cream, aftershave, make-up etc. in the facial area on this day. You will only be anaesthetized locally with eye drops and can therefore eat and drink normally.

At this point, any final questions can be clarified and, if in doubt, we will carry out another examination to be on the safe side. We will give you medication and instructions for the time after the operation. We will also make an appointment with you for the follow-up examination the next day (in the morning). You can find detailed information about the treatment procedure for your chosen surgical method under Methods. The operation itself only takes 10 to 20 minutes. Afterwards, we will provide you with protective goggles and all important documents and medication and your accompanying person will take you home.

What you should consider after laser eye surgery

We recommend a downtime of one to several days, depending on the method. Your eyes are very sensitive and most patients report:

  • Light sensitivity
  • Burning eyes
  • Foreign body sensation
  • strong lacrimation
  • After the operation, keep your eyes closed for the rest of the day if possible and only open them to eat, go to the toilet, etc. The eyelids exert a natural pressure on the cornea, which accelerates healing. This means: no cell phone, no computer, no reading, no television. Listen to music or an audio book until you go to bed.
  • Wear sunglasses indoors (even at night) to avoid catching your eyes.
  • Use the eye drops we provide to lubricate your eyes regularly. You will also receive dosage instructions from us.
  • Avoid rubbing or squeezing your eyes.
  • Please do not apply make-up to your eyes for 1-2 weeks after the treatment.
  • Avoid baths, spas and saunas for 2 weeks and do not hold your face directly under the water jet when showering.
  • Avoid windy, draughty, dusty and smoky environments and physical exertion for 2 weeks.
Aftercare

On the day after the successful operation, you will come to our practice for the first follow-up examination. Normally, you will already have little to no discomfort on this day and a visual acuity of approx. 90%. If your healing is progressing well and the postoperative checks are satisfactory, the next examination will be scheduled for one month later.

Optimal vision is achieved after a few weeks. The results may fluctuate slightly during this time depending on the day – please give your eyes some time.

We recommend an annual follow-up check (cost 180 CHF/year). This is to detect any changes at an early stage. If you attend the annual follow-up checks, you will also benefit from our lifelong guarantee*. In the event of a deviation, we will correct your visual acuity free of charge in this case.

Following the eye laser treatment: Enjoy your new quality of life without glasses or contact lenses!

*The lifelong guarantee includes a free follow-up correction if the target correction deviates due to measurement deviations, laser beam variations, and wound healing, provided a correction is medically sensible and feasible according to international recommendations. Excluded from this are deviations due to changes in the eye as a result of eye diseases (such as lens aging/cataracts, glaucoma, AMD… etc.) as well as the progression of presbyopia.

Your recovery

How healing after laser eye surgery proceeds

Realistic guide values from practice, differing by procedure. Your course is closely monitored at the follow-up checks.

SURGERY DAY

15 to 20 minutes for both eyes, drop anaesthesia, no injection. Afterwards rest, sunglasses, a companion for the way home.
DAY 1

Check with us. After SmartSight and Femto-LASIK usually already fit for everyday life; after Trans-PRK a bandage lens is worn and vision is still blurred.
WEEK 1

Screen work possible, drops as scheduled, no rubbing, no swimming pool, no sauna. Trans-PRK: bandage lens is removed, vision clears over days.
WEEKS 2–12

Visual acuity stabilises, dryness and light effects recede. Non-contact sport from week 2, contact sport from week 4 to 6.
MONTHS 3–12

Final result. If a disturbing residual error remains, fine-tuning takes place now. Thereafter annual check, which keeps the touch-up guarantee in force.

Transparency

What are the risks, and how do we manage them?

Laser eye surgery is among the best-studied procedures in medicine. It is not risk-free. What can occur, written down openly:

iDry eyes are the most common side effect, usually for weeks to a few months. We treat them preventively; where there is a tendency, we choose a flap-free procedure.
iHalos and glare in the first weeks, especially at night. They recede with healing; a large pupil in the dark is clarified beforehand.
iResidual error or regression occurs, usually slight. The touch-up is included in the price for up to ten years.
iFlap complications concern only LASIK and are rare with the femtosecond laser. Anyone who plays contact sport gets a flap-free procedure from us.
iCorneal haze occurs only with surface procedures, is rare and treatable with drops.
iInfection is very rare. It announces itself through pain, redness and deterioration of vision. Then report immediately, day or night.
Your safety net: touch-up included for up to ten years with annual check. For emergencies you receive the surgeon’s personal mobile number, around the clock, including weekends.

Suitability for laser eye surgery, state-of-the-art technology & risks

Discover everything you need to know about laser eye surgery

Honestly speaking

When we advise you against laser treatment

About one in ten enquirers leaves our pre-examination without a surgery date, and that is a good thing. These reasons lead to a no or to a different proposal with us:

iThe prescription is not yet stable. If it has changed by more than 0.5 dioptres in the last year, we wait. Otherwise we would correct a state that keeps shifting.
iThe cornea is too thin or unusually shaped. Then laser is not safe; the ICL lens is often the better solution here.
iThere is a suspicion of keratoconus. Laser would weaken the cornea further. We stabilise first.
iThe eyes are markedly dry. We treat that first; a laser treatment on a dry eye leads to unnecessarily long recovery.
iPregnancy or breastfeeding. The prescription fluctuates hormonally; we postpone.
iThe expectation does not match what is feasible. Anyone who at 55 expects never to need glasses again will be disappointed. We prefer to say so beforehand.
What this means for you: The pre-examination costs CHF 300 and is open-ended. If we advise against, you pay for this examination and in return have clarity about your eyes instead of a procedure you regret later. If you are treated, we credit the CHF 300.
Instalments and guarantee

What laser eye surgery costs per month

Fixed prices per eye, follow-up checks of the first three months included. For six months you pay interest-free directly with us, without a bank check. Longer terms run through our partner HeyLight.

Calculation examples for both eyes. HeyLight: 12 to 36 months, effective annual rate 9.9 %, financing amount CHF 200 to 6’500, example values rounded. Granting credit is prohibited if it leads to over-indebtedness (Art. 3 UCA).

Procedure per eye both eyes 6 months, 0 %, with us HeyLight 12 / 24 / 36 months
Trans-PRK Standard CHF 1’500 CHF 3’000 6× CHF 500 12× CHF 263 / 24× CHF 138 / 36× CHF 96
Femto-LASIK Standard CHF 1’800 CHF 3’600 6× CHF 600 12× CHF 316 / 24× CHF 165 / 36× CHF 115
SmartSight CHF 2’500 CHF 5’000 6× CHF 833 12× CHF 438 / 24× CHF 230 / 36× CHF 160
Femto-LASIK Wavefront CHF 2’500 CHF 5’000 6× CHF 833 12× CHF 438 / 24× CHF 230 / 36× CHF 160
Trans-PRK SmartSurfACE CHF 2’500 CHF 5’000 6× CHF 833 12× CHF 438 / 24× CHF 230 / 36× CHF 160
SmartSight NOVA CHF 3’000 CHF 6’000 6× CHF 1’000 12× CHF 526 / 24× CHF 275 / 36× CHF 192
PresbyMAX CHF 3’300 CHF 6’600 6× CHF 1’100 — / — / —

Lens procedures are not listed here: the ICL lens costs CHF 4’500 per eye, the lens exchange CHF 5’000 per eye. Both exceed the HeyLight maximum for both eyes; we arrange an individual payment solution for them.

Touch-up included

up to 10 years

If a disturbing residual error remains after stabilisation, we correct it with the laser at no extra cost, up to ten years after the procedure. The prerequisite is the annual check with us. The checks of the first three months are included in the fixed price; the subsequent annual check costs CHF 180 and is at the same time your ophthalmic check-up.

Pre-examination CHF 300

is credited

The full pre-examination takes around 90 minutes and provides the basis for deciding on all procedures. If you decide on a treatment, we deduct the amount from the treatment price.

Taxes

Medical expenses

Medical expenses you bear yourself are deductible insofar as they exceed five per cent of net income (Art. 33 para. 1 let. h DBG); the same rate applies in the Canton of Zurich, in the Canton of St. Gallen it is two per cent. Circular no. 11a of the Federal Tax Administration of 26 May 2026 names “laser eye surgery” explicitly as medical expenses for the first time; it applies from the 2027 tax period. We issue all receipts. Details on health insurance and supplementary insurance on the health insurance page. This information is general in nature and does not replace tax advice.

Eye surgery with Swiss precision

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Quality is in our DNA

Everything we do is optimised down to the very finest detail.

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There’s a right way and a wrong way

The right clinic is not too cheap, too “chain” or too costly. The right clinic is precisely right.

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Superior precision

Our vision correction method leaves no room for disappointment.

Star icon

Quality is in our DNA

Everything we do is optimised down to the very finest detail.

Eye icon

There’s a right way and a wrong way

The right clinic is not too cheap, too “chain” or too costly. The right clinic is precisely right.

Like icon

Superior precision

Our vision correction method leaves no room for disappointment.

3 Steps to Freedom from Glasses & Contact Lenses

Renowned LASIK surgeon Dr. Victor Derhartunian FEBO for laser eye surgery in Zurich? Get your eyes lasered now at EyeLaser in Zurich: Gain visual freedom today with our Swiss laser eye method for exceptional laser eye surgery!

Eyelaser Lens Replacement

Contact Eyelaser

Not everyone is suitable for laser eye surgery.

The first step is to determine whether your eyes are eligible. Call us or book an appointment online.

EyeLaser Klinik an der Strehlgasse 33 in Zürich

Visit Eyelaser

During a free initial consultation, we thoroughly examine your eyes and take the time to address your needs and expectations. Once we’ve identified the best treatment for you, you’ll feel confident and reassured about your next steps.

Visuelle Freiheit ohne Brille geniessen – EyeLaser Zürich

Enjoy visual freedom

After treatment at our state-of-the-art clinic, you will admire our craftsmanship and experience exceptional, natural vision—free from glasses and contact lenses.

Eyelaser Lens Replacement

Contact Eyelaser

Not everyone is suitable for laser eye surgery.

The first step is to determine whether your eyes are eligible. Call us or book an appointment online.

EyeLaser Klinik an der Strehlgasse 33 in Zürich

Visit Eyelaser

During a free initial consultation, we thoroughly examine your eyes and take the time to address your needs and expectations. Once we’ve identified the best treatment for you, you’ll feel confident and reassured about your next steps.

Visuelle Freiheit ohne Brille geniessen – EyeLaser Zürich

Enjoy visual freedom

After treatment at our state-of-the-art clinic, you will admire our craftsmanship and experience exceptional, natural vision—free from glasses and contact lenses.

Meet Your Eye Surgeons in Zurich Personal care from trusted vision correction experts.

Discover our laser eye surgeons in the heart of Zurich

Dr. Victor Derhartunian
Dr. Victor Derhartunian
Augenarzt, Spezialist für Refraktive Chirurgie
FEBO

Having learned his craft from the two pioneers of laser surgery, Dr. Victor Derhartunian is among the leading surgeons in Europe. The head eye surgeon at EyeLaser in Zurich can consult his patients in 5 languages.

LEARN MORE
Dr. med. Valery Vinzent Wittwer
Dr. Valery Vinzent Wittwer
Ophthalmologist and Eye Surgeon
FEBO

Dr. Valery Lenzt Wittwer joined the EyeLaser Zurich team in 2024. He specializes in lens surgery and enables patients to live without cataracts and/or refractive errors through cataract surgery and ICL lens implantation.

Learn more
Dr. med. Myron Kynigopoulos, Augenchirurg bei EyeLaser Zürich
Dr. med. Myron Kynigopoulos
Ophthalmologist and Eye Surgeon
FEBO

With over 20 years of experience and 10,000+ surgeries, Dr. Myron Kynigopoulos is among Switzerland’s leading experts. Specializing in high-end lens surgery and laser procedures, he combines precision with empathetic patient care.

Dr. Victor Derhartunian
Dr. Victor Derhartunian
Augenarzt, Spezialist für Refraktive Chirurgie
FEBO

Having learned his craft from the two pioneers of laser surgery, Dr. Victor Derhartunian is among the leading surgeons in Europe. The head eye surgeon at EyeLaser in Zurich can consult his patients in 5 languages.

LEARN MORE
Dr. med. Valery Vinzent Wittwer
Dr. Valery Vinzent Wittwer
Ophthalmologist and Eye Surgeon
FEBO

Dr. Valery Lenzt Wittwer joined the EyeLaser Zurich team in 2024. He specializes in lens surgery and enables patients to live without cataracts and/or refractive errors through cataract surgery and ICL lens implantation.

Learn more
Dr. med. Myron Kynigopoulos, Augenchirurg bei EyeLaser Zürich
Dr. med. Myron Kynigopoulos
Ophthalmologist and Eye Surgeon
FEBO

With over 20 years of experience and 10,000+ surgeries, Dr. Myron Kynigopoulos is among Switzerland’s leading experts. Specializing in high-end lens surgery and laser procedures, he combines precision with empathetic patient care.

From the consultation

Two paths, two procedures

Two typical starting points from our practice. Names changed, courses and quotes with the consent of those concerned.

Laura S., 32, marketing, Zurich

SmartSight

Starting point: −6 dioptres and dry eyes from contact lenses in the air-conditioned office. Jogging and swimming with a visual aid was awkward every time.

Decision: The corneal analysis favoured SmartSight, because fewer corneal nerves are cut and the tear film is spared.

“The freedom to wake up in the morning and see the clock on the wall sharply is indescribable. In sport I finally feel unrestricted.”

Michael B., 48, project manager, Winterthur

Lens exchange with EDOF lens

Starting point: Beginning presbyopia. The constant switching between distance and reading glasses at work became a burden.

Decision: A lens exchange with an EDOF lens that covers distance, screen distance and near together and prevents cataract.

“I was sceptical whether you really see well at all distances again. The result exceeded my expectations.”

Read more patient reports

Experience visual freedom through your lens or eye laser treatment

In this video, Dr. Victor Derhartunian explains which laser eye treatments are available at EyeLaser Zurich:

Patient videos about laser eye surgery

What the procedure feels like, how the first days go and what matters in choosing a procedure, explained by Dr Victor Derhartunian and told by patients.

asd

Aufregung vor dem Augenlasern

Hand aufs Herz: Haben Sie sich auch schon mal dabei ertappt, wie Ihr Puls beim Gedanken an eine Augen-OP kurz…
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Kostenübernahme einer Augenlaser-OP durch die Krankenkasse in der Schweiz

Bei der Entscheidung, ob Ihre eigene Krankenkasse die Kosten für eine Augenlaseroperation übernimmt, ist zu beachten, dass die Krankenkassen leicht…
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Tut Augenlasern weh?

Tut Augenlasern weh? Eine Augenlaserbehandlung ist prinzipiell nicht schmerzhaft. Das Schmerzempfinden von jedem Patienten ist anders. Mehr..

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One location, in the heart of Zurich

EyeLaser is at Strehlgasse 33 in Kreis 1, five minutes on foot from the main station near Rennweg. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00, Saturday by arrangement.

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By train and tram

From Zurich main station five minutes on foot via Bahnhofstrasse, or tram 6, 7, 11, 13, 17 to the Rennweg stop, then two minutes on foot.

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By car

Urania or Jelmoli car park, around five minutes on foot from either. Route in Google Maps.

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Appointment and contact

+41 44 221 95 02 · info@eyelaser.ch · Book a free first consultation

Easy to reach from all over Switzerland

Many of our patients travel by SBB. Treatment and all follow-up checks take place at EyeLaser in Zurich, following a fixed quality assurance schedule.

Winterthur19 min. directS-Bahn every five to ten minutesZug22 min. directfast direct train about every 15 minutesAarau25 min. directaround three direct trains per hourLuzern42 min. directIR every half hourBasel53 min. directIC every half hourBern56 min. directIC every half hourSt. Gallen60 min. directIC every half hourChur74 min. directIC every half hour

Frequently asked questions about laser eye surgery

The questions we are asked most often in our Zurich consultation, answered briefly and without embellishment.

Which laser eye surgery methods does EyeLaser offer in Zurich?

Four laser procedures and two lens procedures: SmartSight and ReLEx SMILE as flap-free lenticule extraction, Femto-LASIK as the established flap procedure, Trans-PRK as the touch-free surface procedure. If the cornea is not suitable for any laser, the ICL lens comes into question; from about 45 PresbyMAX or a lens exchange. Which procedure suits you is shown only by measuring your cornea.

Am I suitable for laser treatment?

Good prerequisites exist between 18 and 60 if the prescription has been stable for at least twelve months, the cornea is sufficiently thick and regularly shaped and there is no eye disease. This assessment becomes binding only after the pre-examination. A free first consultation gives you an initial indication.

What does laser eye surgery cost in Zurich?

All prices are per eye and are fixed prices including the follow-up checks of the first three months; thereafter the annual check is chargeable. Trans-PRK CHF 1’500, Femto-LASIK Standard CHF 1’800, SmartSight Standard CHF 2’500, SmartSight NOVA CHF 3’000, PresbyMAX CHF 3’300, ICL lens CHF 4’500, lens exchange CHF 5’000. The pre-examination costs CHF 300 once and is credited towards a treatment. You find an overview on the page laser eye surgery costs.

Can I pay for the treatment in instalments?

Yes. Directly with us you can settle the amount in six monthly instalments interest-free, without a bank check. For longer terms we work with HeyLight: 12 to 36 months, financing amounts from CHF 200 to 6’500, effective annual rate 9.9 per cent, no hidden fees. We calculate the exact instalment for you at the pre-examination.

Does health insurance cover the costs?

Basic insurance does not cover refractive laser treatment, as it is not considered strictly medically necessary. Some supplementary insurances contribute a share. We issue all the receipts your insurer needs. More on the page laser eye surgery and health insurance.

Is the treatment painful?

The procedure itself is painless thanks to anaesthetic eye drops. You feel slight pressure, nothing more. After SmartSight, ReLEx SMILE and Femto-LASIK the eyes typically burn for a few hours. After Trans-PRK the healing of the surface is noticeable: here expect two to three unpleasant days, which we accompany with painkillers and a bandage lens.

When can I work and drive again?

After SmartSight, ReLEx SMILE and Femto-LASIK most patients are fit for office work and driving the following day, as soon as the legal visual acuity is reached and we have confirmed it at the check. After Trans-PRK this usually takes three to five days.

Are both eyes treated on the same day?

In the vast majority of cases, yes. Both eyes are treated one after the other in the same session. You go through preparation, procedure and healing only once. With today’s procedures that is the international standard.

What are the risks?

The most common temporary side effect is dry eyes in the first weeks to months. Glare sensitivity and halos at night usually subside within three months. An under- or overcorrection can as a rule be corrected. Serious complications such as infections or corneal weakening are rare and are further reduced by the thorough pre-examination. We discuss all risks with you individually before the procedure.

What if the result is not right?

If your prescription deviates after healing, we correct it. This touch-up is included for up to ten years after the procedure; the prerequisite is the annual, chargeable follow-up checks with us. For emergencies you receive the surgeon’s personal mobile number.

Does the result last a lifetime?

The shape correction of the cornea is permanent. If your prescription was stable before the procedure, the refractive error does not come back. Independently of that, the natural lens continues to age: from about 45 almost everyone develops presbyopia, which may make reading glasses necessary. For that there are dedicated solutions with PresbyMAX and the lens exchange.

I have dry eyes. Can I still have laser surgery?

Usually yes, but not immediately. We treat the dry eyes first, because a laser treatment on a dry eye prolongs recovery unnecessarily. Once the tear film is stable, we prefer SmartSight, because fewer corneal nerves are cut. More under dry eyes.

When may I do sport, swim or go to the sauna again?

Light exercise such as jogging or fitness is possible again after a few days. With contact sport, swimming in the lake or in chlorinated water and sauna visits, wait two to four weeks so that the cornea heals safely. Skiing is possible again after about two weeks, with good UV protection.

What distinguishes SmartSight from Femto-LASIK?

With Femto-LASIK a thin corneal flap is created, folded open and laid back after lasering. With SmartSight a disc of tissue is created inside the cornea and removed through an opening of about two to three millimetres. So there is no flap, the cornea remains biomechanically more stable and fewer nerves are cut. In return, Femto-LASIK is usually sharp again faster and also covers long-sightedness.

I do not live in Zurich. How does aftercare work?

Treatment and follow-up checks take place with us in Zurich, following a fixed schedule on the following day, after one week, after one month and after three months, then annually. Basel, Bern, Lucerne, St. Gallen, Winterthur and Zug reach us by SBB in 19 to 60 minutes direct, and we schedule appointments so that they can be combined with one trip.

Why is no laser surgery performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Hormonal fluctuations can temporarily change the prescription and affect wound healing. For a permanently stable result we wait until the hormone balance has normalised. After weaning we recommend an interval of three to six months before the pre-examination.

Links to reliable sources about LASIK and Femto-LASIK

Further information about LASIK and Femto-LASIK can be found under the following links

Laser eye surgery - isn't it dangerous?

Nearsightedness or farsightedness can be corrected by laser. Who is suitable for the procedure? The most important facts about the method whose pioneers received the Nobel Prize in Physics. Click here to read more.

PRK, LASIK and SMILE: An assessment of laser treatment for defective vision

Studies show comparable refractive results after PRK and SMILE as well as a comparison between Femto-LASIK and SMILE. Click here to read more.

More and more people are having their eyes lasered

Since 1989, around 16 million people have had their vision impairment treated with LASIK. A meta-study has now shown that worldwide, about 95 percent of all patients are still satisfied with the results years after the treatment. Click here to read more.

Next step

Two ways to find out whether laser eye surgery is an option for you

The pre-examination is the binding answer: we measure your cornea and then know your procedure, your fixed price and your risks.

1 · Free first consultation

Around 30 minutes, in person or by video. You learn which procedures come into consideration for you at all and what the next steps look like.

Book a first consultation

2 · Pre-examination in Zurich

Around 90 minutes, CHF 300, open-ended. Afterwards you know your procedure, your binding price and your risks. If you are treated, the amount is credited.

Book an appointment

Prefer to call? +41 44 221 95 02, Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00.