I did it!!! – Report from Monday, March 17, 2008

Goodness me, laser surgery in Turkey, you are insane! Do you know this outcry? Completely unfounded!!! To the brave and the not-so-brave, the hesitant and the undecided: I did it and can only highly recommend it! It took me a full eight years to decide on a Lasik operation. And time was starting to run out; after all, I am nearing my 45th birthday and reading glasses are already beckoning. Go on, now or never, I said to myself and flew to Istanbul. One day later, my 5.5 and 4.75 dioptres had turned into 0.0. Even better, my vision is now at 125%! So I see pin-sharp, almost like an eagle. Before the operation, I struggled to see clearly at night in the rain. I expected this to get even worse, but not at all! Today, I am completely glare-resistant. The fear of suffering from very dry eyes after the operation has only proven true partially and to an absolutely minimal extent. I am convinced this will still settle down, as the operation was only three weeks ago.

What can I say about the clinic in Istanbul. Very friendly, very attentive and extremely competent and precise (I am Swiss and have certain expectations). One employee even spoke Swiss German, all others spoke English. The procedure was explained to me several times and the staff were always available for questions. The doctor suggested an outcome of -0.5 dioptres and possibly a minimally corrective pair of reading glasses, but he was not certain. I will tell you now: the reading glasses can wait a few more years and you already know the result regarding the short-sightedness.

Surgery: It felt like 10 minutes to me, but like hours to my husband. We agreed on 30 minutes (including preparation such as anaesthetic drops, putting on the surgical gown and droll cap, back massage etc.). There was no pain, nor any strange smells. You hear the machine whirring and the eye is touched. ABSOLUTELY painless, I swear! After the surgery, there was a slight burning sensation. I was able to open my eyes immediately and looked at the disguised figures behind the machine through a veil. After a drop in each eye, the burning disappeared instantly and then, one hour after the surgery, a short vision test was carried out, where I could already see very clearly. Then I put on thick sunglasses and walked back to the hotel, applying drops to my eyes every hour and sleeping, sleeping, sleeping. The next morning, there was a follow-up check at the clinic and then off into the city life of Istanbul.

I am doing really well, so I am not being paid for this report, I give you my word! My husband is quite envious; he still wears glasses. Unfortunately, he is not short-sighted enough and the doctor advised against it. In our age group, the risk of needing strong reading glasses afterwards is high. You have to weigh it up!

And another thing, a small convenience for all cooks and hobby cooks (men and women): cutting onions is now tear-free! This could however also be a disadvantage; before the surgery, my husband always used to do that…