Vision Correction Magrabi Health

Vision correction is a procedure that treats nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, either by reshaping the cornea with a laser, such as LASIK, Femto LASIK, Femto SMILE and PRK surface laser, or by implanting a lens inside the eye (ICL) for higher prescriptions. The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes for both eyes under local anesthetic drops, and most patients return to work within days, depending on the technique.

At Magrabi Health, the decision starts with a comprehensive suitability assessment that measures your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, and eye surface health. The doctor then recommends the most suitable technique for your eyes, or explains the alternative if the procedure is not suitable. This is backed by a network that performs more than 200,000 surgical procedures annually across 15 eye branches in the Kingdom, with JCI accreditation for Magrabi Health – Riyadh at a 99.5% assessment score.

 

[Speak with a Magrabi advisor on WhatsApp to ask whether a vision correction assessment is suitable for you]

 

Medical note: The information on this page is general, and timelines and results vary from person to person. The doctor determines whether the procedure is suitable after the assessment.

 

Is Vision Correction Right for You?

 

The Saudi Ministry of Health notes that refractive errors such as nearsightedness are treated in several ways, including glasses, surgery or LASIK. You may be a good candidate for vision correction if you rely daily on glasses or contact lenses and your prescription is stable. The assessment also helps people looking for LASIK alternatives because of thin corneas or dry eyes.

 

Vision Correction Criteria

 

The doctor checks these core criteria before approving any technique:

 

Criterion	Usual standard
Age	18 years or older for most techniques; the doctor may prefer 21 for some cases
Stable prescription	No significant change in prescription for at least 12 months
Cornea	Thickness and shape suitable for the technique, with no keratoconus
Eye health	No severe untreated dry eye, glaucoma or active inflammation
General health	Not pregnant or breastfeeding at the time of the procedure, and chronic conditions such as diabetes are stable

 

Not meeting some criteria usually does not mean you are ruled out. A thin cornea may suit PRK surface laser or lens implantation, while keratoconus needs a specific assessment under Keratoconus Treatment.

 

Not sure if you are a candidate? Ask a Magrabi Health advisor on WhatsApp

 

 

Types of Vision Correction at Magrabi Health

Vision correction procedures fall into two groups: laser techniques that reshape the cornea, and lens implantation inside the eye without altering the cornea. The choice depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and daily lifestyle.

 

Comparing Vision Correction Techniques

 

Technique	How it works	Usually suitable for	Return to daily activities (approx.)
LASIK	A thin corneal flap is created, then the cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser	Nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism with sufficient corneal thickness	1–3 days
Femto LASIK	Like LASIK, but the flap is created with a femtosecond laser instead of a blade	Patients who want higher precision in flap creation	1–3 days
Femto SMILE	A small piece of corneal tissue is removed through a 2–4 mm incision, with no flap	Nearsightedness and astigmatism, mild dry eye, or contact sports	1–3 days
PRK surface laser	The surface layer of the cornea is removed, then the cornea is reshaped directly with no flap	Thin corneas, and people in physically demanding jobs or sports	5–7 days
ICL lens implantation	A corrective lens is implanted inside the eye in front of the natural lens, and can be removed if needed	High prescriptions, or corneas not suitable for laser	1–3 days

 

Timelines are approximate, and the doctor selects the right technique after examining the cornea.

 

LASIK Eye Surgery

 

LASIK is the best-known laser vision correction procedure. The surgeon lifts a thin flap from the corneal surface, reshapes the layer beneath it with a laser, then places the flap back. Most patients notice a clear improvement in vision within 24 hours. Learn more about LASIK eye surgery · What are the benefits and risks of LASIK?

 

Femto LASIK Surgery

 

Femto LASIK is an advanced form of LASIK in which the corneal flap is created with a femtosecond laser instead of a surgical blade, giving more precise control over the flap’s thickness and diameter. Femto LASIK surgery at Magrabi Health · LASIK vs Femto LASIK: how to choose

 

Femto SMILE

 

Femto SMILE is one of the latest vision correction techniques, performed through a very small incision without lifting a flap. Because it preserves most of the cornea’s upper surface, it may suit people with mild dry eye or those who play contact sports, and it is mainly used to treat nearsightedness and astigmatism. Femto SMILE: the latest technology in vision correction

 

PRK Surface Laser

 

In PRK, the thin outer layer of the cornea is removed, the cornea is reshaped directly with the laser, and the layer regrows within days. It is often preferred for thin corneas, but recovery takes longer than LASIK. PRK laser eye surgery · Is surface LASIK the right option?

 

ICL Lens Implantation for Vision Correction

 

A corrective lens is implanted inside the eye without removing any corneal tissue. It is a common option for high nearsightedness, or when the cornea is not suitable for laser techniques. The lens can be removed or replaced if needed. Lens implantation for vision correction

 

 

 What Happens During a Vision Correction Assessment?

 

The suitability assessment determines whether the procedure can be performed safely and which technique suits your eyes. It covers five steps:

 

1. Accurate vision measurement: your degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, compared with previous readings to confirm stability.
2. Corneal mapping and thickness measurement: a map of the cornea’s shape helps rule out keratoconus and choose the technique.
3. Dry eye and eye surface evaluation: dryness affects comfort after the procedure and the choice of technique.
4. Retina and eye pressure check: to make sure there are no retinal problems or glaucoma.
5. Discussing the results with the doctor: the recommended technique, expected result, cost and procedure date.

 

If you have not had your eyes checked for a while, you can start with a comprehensive eye examination.

 

How to Prepare for the Assessment

 

 

• Stop wearing contact lenses before the assessment, as instructed by the team.
• Bring your current glasses and your latest prescription.
• Tell the doctor about any previous eye surgery or medications you take.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home, as dilating drops may blur your vision for a few hours.

 

How Long Does Vision Correction Take, and When Does Vision Improve?

 

The procedure usually takes 15–30 minutes for both eyes, and the laser itself works for only seconds or a few minutes per eye. You go home the same day.

 

Time	What to usually expect (LASIK, Femto and SMILE)
Procedure day	Blurred vision, mild burning and watering; rest and keep your eyes closed
After 24 hours	Clear improvement in vision, and the first follow-up visit
One week	Return to most daily activities and office work
1–3 months	Vision stabilizes approximately

 

With PRK surface laser, discomfort is greater in the first 3–5 days and vision takes longer to improve. Read more: Does vision return to 6/6 after LASIK? · Instructions after LASIK surgery · Lubricating eye drops after LASIK

 

How Much Does Vision Correction Cost in Saudi Arabia?

 

The cost of vision correction varies from patient to patient, because it depends on the technique that suits your eyes and your assessment results. A Magrabi Health doctor determines the cost after the suitability assessment and explains it to you before any decision, with flexible installment options.

 

Factor	How it affects the cost
Suitable technique	PRK, LASIK, Femto LASIK, Femto SMILE and lens implantation differ in equipment and procedure steps
Prescription and astigmatism	Higher prescriptions may require a different technique or a customized lens
Corneal condition	Corneal thickness and shape determine which techniques are available to you
Additional tests	Some cases need more detailed imaging or tests before the procedure

 

Read more: LASIK surgery cost: what affects the price?

 

Vision Correction Success Rate

Vision correction procedures are among the most studied elective procedures, and most suitable patients achieve vision that frees them from glasses for most daily activities. The chances of success increase when the pre-operative assessment is thorough and the technique suits the cornea.

 

Possible Side Effects of Vision Correction

Most side effects are temporary and ease within weeks to months:

 

• Dry eye: the most common, and treated with lubricating drops.
• Halos and glare at night: usually ease as the cornea stabilizes.
• Under- or over-correction: some patients may need an enhancement session.
• Flap complications or infection: rare, and less likely when follow-up instructions are followed.

 

See your doctor immediately if you experience severe pain, a sudden drop in vision or increasing redness. Read more: LASIK surgery risks: side effects and warning signs.

 

Why Choose Magrabi Health for Vision Correction?

 

• All techniques under one roof: LASIK, Femto LASIK, Femto SMILE, PRK surface laser and lens implantation, so the doctor recommends what suits your eyes, not only what is available.
• Experience of a specialized eye care network: more than 200,000 surgical procedures annually across the Magrabi Health network.
• Accredited quality: JCI accreditation for Magrabi Health – Riyadh at a 99.5% assessment score.
• 15 eye branches across the Kingdom: assessment and follow-up close to you after the procedure.

 

Talk to a Magrabi Health advisor on WhatsApp

 

Vision Correction Doctors at Magrabi Health in Saudi Arabia

 

Doctor	Branch
Dr. Awad Al Qarni	Magrabi Health Eye and Ear – Madina Road, Jeddah
Dr. Mohamed Al-Meihy	Magrabi Health Eye and Ear – Madina Road, Jeddah
Dr. Osama AL-Manshi	Magrabi Health Eye – Al Khobar
Dr. Fatima Abdulkareem AL Nemer	Magrabi Health Eye, Dental and ENT – Dammam

 

Vision Correction Branches at Magrabi Health in Saudi Arabia

 

You can have your suitability assessment at any Magrabi Health eye branch in 10 Saudi cities, or browse Magrabi Health eye branches in Saudi Arabia.

 

City	Branches
Riyadh	Riyadh Hospital · Exit 14 · Ghernata
Jeddah	Madina Road · North Jeddah · Al Morgan
Makkah	Magrabi Health Eye and Dental – Makkah
Al Madinah	Magrabi Health Eye & Ear – Al Madinah Al Munawwarah
Eastern Province	Dammam · Al Khobar · Qatif · Jubail · Al-Ahsa
South	Asir · Jazan

 

City guide: How to choose the best vision correction doctor in Riyadh

 

 Articles to Help You Decide

 

• LASIK vs Femto LASIK: How Do You Choose the Right Technique?
• Femto LASIK Surgery: Is It Right for You?
• Is Surface LASIK Surgery the Right Option?
• Does Vision Return to 6/6 After LASIK?
• Myopia Treatment: Glasses, Contacts & LASIK
• Lubricating Eye Drops After LASIK: When Do You Need Them?

 

Patient Experiences with Vision Correction at Magrabi Health

 

Eng.fatma Alzhrani · ★★★★★ · 6 months ago

The vision correction procedure was quick and simple, with almost immediate results. Thank you to Dr. Mohamed Al-Meihy and all the kind staff.

 

shouq AlGhamdi · ★★★★★ · 9 months ago

My sister and I had vision correction surgery with Dr. Awad Al Qarni, and I felt reassured and comfortable. He is a skilled and conscientious doctor who reassured us throughout the procedure, and thank God the surgery was quick and easy. The staff were also cooperative and professional.

 

Elaf f.h · ★★★★★ · 1 year ago

I had my vision correction surgery with Dr. Awad Al Qarni. He is excellent, gentle, cooperative, answers all questions and guides you step by step. The procedure was very quick, and the nurses were helpful until discharge and preparing the medications.

 

Sasa Fd · ★★★★☆ · 3 years ago

I had vision correction surgery with Dr. Mohamed Al-Meihy, may God bless him. A respectful, well-mannered, patient and professional doctor. The hospital is clean and organized, though prices are somewhat high. The reception staff were respectful and helpful.

 

Abo Abdullah · ★★★★★ · 1 year ago

I had vision correction surgery with Dr. Mohamed Al-Meihy, and thank God the doctor, medical team and administrative staff were excellent. Thank you from the heart.

 

Start with a Suitability Assessment

 

The first step in vision correction is an assessment that identifies the right technique for your eyes. Book your assessment at the nearest branch, talk to a Magrabi Health advisor on WhatsApp, or call 920018000.

Book a Suitability Assessment · Chat on WhatsAp