Frequently asked questions about medical care in China

Yes, you can request a consultation. Do not stop or change your medications while awaiting a response.

Provide all relevant medical records and test reports. State your current regimen, timing of your most recent dose, treatment response, and side effects. Your current doctor and consulting doctor should jointly assess any treatment changes.

No. Submitting records does not mean the hospital has confirmed admission or treatment dates.

The hospital must consider the doctor's assessment, test results, bed availability, and internal procedures. Do not book nonrefundable flights or accommodation until the hospital provides explicit confirmation.

Medical records and imaging can indicate a general direction. They cannot determine the surgical plan in advance.

Prepare recent X-rays, CT or MRI scans, previous treatments, mobility limitations, and underlying conditions. The hospital can first explain what additional information is needed. An in-person assessment and additional preoperative tests are usually still required. They determine whether surgery is needed, the approach, and whether admission is possible.

You can submit older imaging first because it helps doctors understand changes over time. Recent tests are needed to assess your current condition and confirm a treatment plan.

Whether you need repeat testing depends on symptom changes, image quality, and the clinical question. Do not repeat tests on your own. First ask the hospital about the required body area, views, and time frame.

Your stay cannot be calculated from the surgery date alone.

Allow time for preoperative tests, hospital admission, surgery, postoperative rehabilitation, follow-up, and safe travel. The doctor will consider the surgical approach, underlying conditions, and recovery. Keep your travel schedule flexible.

Before discharge, prepare all documents needed for rehabilitation after you return home.

Confirm the surgical record, discharge summary, medications, wound care, and activity restrictions. Also confirm the follow-up schedule and rehabilitation plan. We can help organize documents already issued by the hospital. A local rehabilitation professional should adjust exercise intensity based on your recovery.

Common eye surgery names include:

• SMILE, LASIK, and ICL: vision-correction options often discussed
• TransPRK: a surface-laser option, usually without a corneal flap
• Cataract surgery: the cloudy lens is removed and an intraocular lens is placed; records often say phaco
• Vitreoretinal surgery: macular, retinal, or vitreous problems after imaging review; records may say PPV
• Glaucoma laser or surgery: confirmed after eye-pressure and optic-nerve tests; records may also mention MIGS
• Corneal transplant: thinning, keratoconus, or a transplant plan
• Strabismus surgery: discussed after refraction and strabismus records

These names help you follow a discussion. They are not a menu you can choose yourself.

Optometric surgery is not a standard English medical term. Refraction, glasses, and myopia control usually belong to optometry. Vision-correction or intraocular surgery is assessed by an ophthalmologist. Some Chinese eye-optic hospitals are still ophthalmology hospitals.

Whether surgery is possible must be confirmed by the treating doctor and hospital. So must the method and how fees are billed. Read the myopia comparison and cost guides next.

All three are common surgeries for correcting myopia. SMILE and LASIK usually use a laser to cut corneal tissue to correct the refractive error. TransPRK is a surface-laser option, usually without a corneal flap, so recovery pace may differ. ICL implantation usually does not cut or reshape corneal tissue. Instead, an intraocular lens is placed in the eye. This is an additive procedure. If later medically needed, a doctor can assess whether the lens can be removed.

• SMILE: commonly assessed for people with myopia of about 1,000 degrees or less and favorable corneal conditions. Some patients may have relatively milder dry-eye discomfort. A typical reference price for both eyes is about USD 1,900–3,000.
• LASIK: the range of refractive error that can usually be assessed is wider. A typical reference price for both eyes is about USD 1,300–2,500.
• TransPRK: the doctor may discuss this if the cornea is thin. Suitability and fees must be confirmed by preoperative tests and a written hospital quote.
• ICL implantation: some models can correct up to about 1,800 degrees. People with high myopia or a thinner cornea may also be considered. A typical reference price for both eyes is about USD 3,700–6,700.

These are USD reference prices for both eyes. They usually vary by city, hospital, equipment, and lens brand. They may not include preoperative tests, medications, or travel costs. SinoCareHub does not set hospital prices. Use the hospital's written quote.

Which option is suitable must be decided by a complete preoperative examination and the treating doctor. This information cannot replace an individual surgical assessment.

Intraocular lenses are not “more expensive equals better.” Suitability is what matters. Records often say phaco for the surgical method.

• Monofocal lenses: distance vision is usually clearer. Near vision often still needs reading glasses. Cost is relatively lower.
• Bifocal, trifocal, and extended-depth-of-focus (EDOF) lenses: they may reduce dependence on glasses. Some people may have halos at night. People with a healthier fundus who want to wear glasses less often are more commonly assessed.
• Toric lenses: if you have corneal astigmatism, you can discuss with the doctor whether to add this correction.

Before choosing a lens, fundus condition, corneal astigmatism, and daily visual habits usually matter more than price. Have a full examination first, then decide with the doctor.

Yes. Confirming costs before you travel is recommended.

• Send us examination reports from the past 3–6 months. We will help organize the records and contact the hospital.
• Name the surgery under discussion, such as SMILE, LASIK, TransPRK, ICL, or a cataract lens.
• Ask the hospital whether examination, surgery, lens, and medication fees are charged separately. Also ask about optional services such as interpreting.
• Remote records review and a written itemized quote both depend on the hospital's reply.

The final amount is usually locked by the hospital after you complete on-site examinations and the plan is confirmed. If adjustment is needed after tests, follow the written rules. SinoCareHub does not set hospital prices.