ICL (implantable lens)
A thin lens placed inside the eye in front of your natural lens, often considered for high short-sightedness or thin corneas.
- Lens is sized for your eye
- Lens can be removed if needed
ICL & SMILE Laser Eye Surgery for Overseas Chinese
How ICL, SMILE and cataract surgery differ, why suitability is checked in person, and how to plan eye checks after you return abroad.
Three common eye procedures
The surgeon recommends one only after measuring your eyes.
SMILE laser surgery
A laser makes a small lens-shaped piece of tissue inside the cornea, which is removed through a small incision.
- Needs a stable prescription
- Corneal thickness is checked
Cataract surgery
The cloudy natural lens is replaced with an artificial lens. Lens type affects both vision and price.
- Ask which lens type is used
- Usually one eye at a time
How suitability is checked
Suitability can only be confirmed with in-person tests.
Tests you can expect
- Prescription and its stability over time
- Corneal thickness and shape
- Eye pressure and retina check
- Pupil size and the space inside the eye
Before the tests
Contact lens wearers are usually asked to stop wearing them for a period before measurement. Ask the hospital how long, and bring your glasses.
When surgery may not go ahead
If the tests show you are not suitable, the surgeon may suggest another option or none. Plan your trip so this does not leave you out of pocket on non-refundable costs.
Reference prices and waits
Eye surgery prices in China vary by hospital, so ask for a written quote.
GBP 2,695
Published SMILE price per eye at one UK private provider, including aftercare
Source: Optegra UK
8 to 10 times
Reported international department surgery fees in China compared with the standard insured price
Source: Sina Finance / Caijing
2 to 5 times
Reported international department test fees in China compared with the standard insured price
Source: Sina Finance / Caijing
Follow-up after you fly home
Eye surgery needs checks in the weeks after the operation.
Plan before you travel
- Ask the surgeon for the check-up schedule and when you can fly
- Book an optometrist or ophthalmologist near home in advance
- Agree how to send photos or results to the treating team
Take these records home
- Pre-surgery measurements
- Operation notes
- Lens model and power for ICL or cataract lenses
- Eye drop schedule
Canada waits for comparison
In Canada, the 2025 median wait for cataract surgery exceeded the pan-Canadian benchmark, according to the Fraser Institute.
Eye surgery questions from overseas Chinese
How long should I stay in China after eye surgery?
Long enough for the early check-ups the surgeon asks for. Confirm the schedule before booking your return flight.
Can I be assessed from my local eye test results?
Local results help with an initial opinion, but the hospital repeats measurements in person before deciding.
What if I need an adjustment later?
Ask before surgery what happens if a further procedure is needed, whether it costs extra, and whether it must be done in China.
Do prices include follow-up visits?
Not always. Ask for an itemised quote that lists tests, surgery, lenses, medicines and check-ups.
Will my insurance abroad cover this?
Refractive surgery is often treated as elective. Ask your insurer in writing, and keep itemised receipts for cataract surgery claims.
Start with a free triage consultation
Tell us about your health concern and a doctor will suggest realistic next steps. Your first triage consultation is free.
Suitability is decided by the treating surgeon after examination. FreeClinic does not prescribe, treat remotely or arrange admission. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.
Sources
- Optegra UK, Laser eye surgery costs (price per eye)
- Fraser Institute, Waiting Your Turn: Wait Times for Health Care in Canada, 2025 Report
- Sina Finance / Caijing, Sept 2026, on international department pricing at Chinese public hospitals
Prices and policies change. Figures are for general information and are not a quote or medical advice.