Eye surgery tours · 2026
See clearly,
then see China.
Four routes built around leading public eye hospitals: laser or lens surgery for short-sightedness, cataract surgery, or a full eye check-up. The examination decides what's right for your eyes, check-ups are built into every trip, and the sightseeing waits until the surgeon is happy.
Routes
Four routes,
with check-ups built in.
Guangzhou · Laser Eye Surgery & the Pearl River
Surgery at China's flagship eye hospital, then the city without glasses.
Eye program: Refractive surgery
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Beijing · Cataract Surgery & Temples
Clear sight restored at one of China's best-known eye hospitals.
Eye program: Cataract surgery
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Shanghai · Full Eye Check-up & Old Streets
A thorough check of your eyes, then the plane-tree streets of old Shanghai.
Eye program: Comprehensive eye check-up
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Wenzhou · Refractive Surgery & Yandang Mountain
A national centre for vision science, and mountains to look at afterwards.
Eye program: Refractive surgery
View routeNot sure which route fits?
Tell us your prescription, your age and how long you have. We'll suggest a route and program — free, within 48 hours.
Programs
Three kinds of eye trip.
Refractive surgery
SMILE, femto-LASIK or an ICL lens to reduce or end your need for glasses. The pre-operative examination decides whether you're suitable and which method fits your eyes. Most people go home within a week.
Cataract surgery
The clouded lens is replaced with a clear artificial one, usually one eye at a time. You are checked within 48 hours, and most people can fly a few days later with the surgeon's agreement.
Comprehensive eye check-up
Eye pressure, retina imaging and a specialist review, worthwhile if you have diabetes, a family history of glaucoma or haven't had a full check for years.
Every route can use any program, subject to the examination. More on each procedure is in our LASIK & eye surgery guide.
Compare
All routes at a glance
| Route | Setting | Eye program | Best for | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou · Laser Eye Surgery & the Pearl River | Huacheng Square & Zhujiang New Town · Chen Clan Ancestral Hall · Pearl River evening cruise | Refractive surgery | Short-sightedness; travellers via Hong Kong or South-East Asia | 6 days / 5 nights |
| Beijing · Cataract Surgery & Temples | Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong) · Beihai Park · Hutongs by rickshaw | Cataract surgery | Cataracts; travellers over 60 | 7 days / 6 nights |
| Shanghai · Full Eye Check-up & Old Streets | Wukang Road · The Bund · Yu Garden | Comprehensive eye check-up | Eye health checks; diabetes or glaucoma risk | 4 days / 3 nights |
| Wenzhou · Refractive Surgery & Yandang Mountain | Yandang Mountain (Yandangshan) · Jiangxin Island · Wuma Street | Refractive surgery | Short-sightedness; travellers who like quieter places | 6 days / 5 nights |
How it works
Your eyes set the pace.
Plan from home
Send your prescription and any eye reports. We check you're likely to be a candidate and tell you how long to stop wearing contact lenses.
Examine, then decide
A full examination decides whether surgery suits you and which method. You get the plan and price in writing before anything is done.
Heal while you travel
A check the next day, gentle sightseeing with sunglasses, and a final check before you fly, plus records for your eye doctor at home.
Wear contact lenses?
You'll need to stop wearing them for a while before the examination so your measurements are accurate. Ask us how long for your lens type before you book flights.
FAQ
Eye Surgery Tours — answered.
- How do I know if I'm suitable for laser eye surgery?
- Only the pre-operative examination can tell you. Common reasons people aren't suitable include being under 18, pregnancy or breastfeeding, a prescription that changed in the past year, thin corneas, keratoconus, significant dry eye, and some autoimmune conditions or diabetes. If laser surgery isn't right, an ICL lens may be an option, or the surgeon may advise against surgery.
- Is SMILE better than LASIK?
- For short-sightedness, reviews of the trials find SMILE and femto-LASIK give similar sharpness and accuracy, and SMILE tends to cause less dry eye. The best choice depends on your cornea and prescription, so the surgeon recommends one after the examination.
- When can I fly after eye surgery?
- The American Academy of Ophthalmology says flying has no effect on healing after LASIK, and NHS guidance says it's fine to travel, including flying, after cataract surgery. In practice every route includes a check-up before you fly, and the surgeon confirms you're fit to travel.
- How much does an eye surgery tour cost?
- It depends on the procedure, which is only confirmed after the examination, plus the route and hotels. Send us your prescription and dates, and we'll reply with an itemised quote.
- Can I travel alone?
- Yes, but your vision will be blurry for a few hours after surgery, so your coordinator takes you back to the hotel. Many people bring a companion for the surgery day.
Pick a route,
we’ll handle the rest.
Tell us your dates, who’s travelling and your current prescription. We’ll match the hospital and program, then send an itemised quote.