Experience report of my laser eye surgery at Acibadem Hospital, Istanbul, by Corinne Stoll, written on 14 September 2012 – report from Wednesday, 10 October 2012

Since the beginning of this year, the idea of laser eye surgery had not left my mind. My mother had already undergone the same operation in Switzerland a few years ago, so I was somewhat familiar with the procedure, and her excellent results had a positive influence on me. I began researching and quickly discovered that countries such as Turkey, the Netherlands, and the USA are among the most advanced in laser eye technology. Treatment in Switzerland is comparatively very expensive and not necessarily better than in other countries, especially in places where this technique is commonly used and the staff have extensive experience with the procedure.
I therefore looked into Swisslasik and other providers’ websites to learn about the travel arrangements and details of the operation. Swisslasik appealed to me from the start because of its well-designed website and became one of my favourites. My inquiry was answered promptly, thoroughly, and politely, and I was also contacted personally, which contributed to my decision to travel to Istanbul. To be safe, I had a preliminary examination with my ophthalmologist in Switzerland to check if my cornea was thick enough. On that occasion, I also asked her opinion about my plan, and she confirmed that having the surgery in Turkey is a cost-effective and professional alternative, and that she had many patients who had successfully done so.
My laser eye surgery was therefore scheduled for 7 August 2012 at Acibadem Maslak in Istanbul. Before my trip, Swisslasik had provided me with the Swisslasik pass containing additional useful information for the period before and after the surgery. When I arrived at the airport the day before, I was promptly met by the driver who took me to my accommodation. The next morning, I was picked up again and driven to Acibadem Maslak, where the first examinations began. The staff spoke excellent English. To ensure I was fully informed throughout the process, I was accompanied by a young lady who grew up in Germany and translated everything for me in German. The staff and translator were very friendly and made every effort to make the entire process as pleasant as possible. I felt very well cared for and comfortable throughout the day.
The examinations took one to two hours, and because the eye drops used to dilate the pupils are effective for several hours, operations are scheduled in the afternoon. Once the final examinations were completed in the afternoon and I was confirmed suitable for LASIK with a 97% success rate, the last preparations were made before the procedure began. In the operating room, everything happened very quickly. I was able to lie down on the table, where my head was secured to prevent movement during the surgery. The laser opens the cornea, which the doctor then folds back. The laser procedure itself takes only about a minute before the cornea can be closed again and the first eye is already done. The same procedure is then repeated on the other eye, and within ten to fifteen minutes, the surgery is complete. Immediately afterwards, a special protective glasses were placed on me, lined with foam at the edges to prevent light or fingers from entering. Admittedly, my eyes burned and watered intensely afterwards, and I wanted to try to extinguish the fire, but I had to restrain myself to avoid rubbing my eyes. At the same time, I already had every reason to be happy because I could immediately see everything perfectly again.
However, as my eyes were still burning strongly, I could not enjoy this success for long and had to keep my eyes mostly closed, only opening them briefly. Immediately after the procedure, the doctor performed a short check and confirmed that the result was a complete success. I was then picked up by Acibadem Hospital and taken back to my accommodation. The first four hours were still very uncomfortable, and the burning sensation in my eyes seemed endless. These were long hours requiring patience.
After about four hours, the sharp burning and tears finally subsided, and I could slowly relax and begin to truly enjoy the fantastic result that I could now see without my glasses. The next morning, when I removed the glasses and for the first time in years could marvel at the view in full colour and perfect clarity, I was overjoyed at my newly regained eyesight. It was certainly one of the best decisions of my life, and I would undergo laser eye surgery again at any time and recommend it to anyone wishing to enjoy life free from glasses or contact lenses. A few days later, I had a follow-up check at Acibadem Hospital and was able to fly home happily with sharp vision. I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved for their kind support.