Laser eye surgery—finally!!!—Report from Tuesday, May 27, 2008

I had been toying with the idea of ​​laser eye surgery for quite some time. A colleague of my sister’s recommended me, and I decided to book a procedure through Swisslasik. Whether I contacted Mr. Karaagacli-Leoni by email or phone, I always felt that he took me very seriously and that he took the time to answer my questions thoroughly. After the positive assessment from the ophthalmologist at swisslasik.ch in Zurich during my preliminary examination, confirming my suitability for laser eye surgery, I decided a few months later to book my trip to Istanbul. Before the trip, I received basic information about the operation, as well as some helpful tips, including a map of Istanbul. I never felt nervous or afraid; rather, I was filled with curiosity about the surgery and especially about what would happen afterward. Arriving in Istanbul on May 21, 2008, I received a call from Birol, the contact person at the eyestar clinic, even before passport control. He was also responsible for… Patient transport is taken care of. After the extremely friendly welcome at the airport, I was driven to the hotel along with three other women who were also coming from Switzerland for laser eye surgery. It was still early afternoon, and the clinic hadn’t planned anything for the day of arrival, so it was the perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Istanbul. The following morning, a more thorough preliminary examination than the one in Switzerland took place, after which the doctor could definitively determine whether laser eye surgery was a promising option for each individual. The clinic is easy to find, although this isn’t really relevant since Birol personally ensures that all patients get there, either on foot or by car, depending on the distance. The welcome at eyestar was also very warm and can only be described positively. Anyone who might have been a little nervous or anxious beforehand now had the perfect opportunity to overcome those feelings. The atmosphere in the clinic’s inviting lounge is perfect for relaxing. Cool drinks are available, and music plays softly in the background to help you unwind. Patients are taken one after another for the various tests, during which they also get to know the other clinic staff. At the end of the testing, the surgeon discusses the expected results with the patients and schedules an appointment, allowing for a two-hour lunch break. Because of the eye drops required for the tests, my vision was quite blurry, and I also had a slight headache, perhaps due to the strong sun that day. After a delicious lunch near Istiklal Caddesi, I returned to the clinic. This time, after a short wait, I went up one floor to the operating room. Upon entering, all patients received a green gown to cover their street clothes as much as possible in the sterile environment. I was soon called into the operating room. After I lay down on the table with my head slightly tilted back for stability, the second eye to be operated on was covered. My right eye was clamped to prevent me from closing it involuntarily. I then felt pressure on my eye as the incision was made. The next step was the laser treatment, during which my eye was rinsed repeatedly. The laser treatment itself was imperceptible, but I was truly relieved when the clamp was removed. The incision in my left eye was slightly more noticeable, but I felt nothing during the laser treatment. After the operation, I had a foreign body sensation in my left eye, but I was assured that this would soon disappear. After a brief check-up by the doctor, I was allowed to leave the clinic, equipped with a bag full of eye drops to use over the next few days. To rest in the hotel and avoid accidentally touching my freshly operated eyes, I placed a bath towel over my head. After almost three hours of bed rest, it was time for dinner. Together with a woman who had gone through the same procedure, I strolled down Istiklal Street in search of a restaurant. My vision was now almost completely clear, practically crystal clear. During the night, the eye patches given to me at the clinic, which were meant to prevent unwanted rubbing of the eyes, adhered very well. The next day, there was no more strange sensation; my vision was as sharp as it probably had been since kindergarten.