My experience report LASIK ISTANBUL – Report from Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Experience report regarding my eye laser surgery

The beginning

At the beginning of April this year, my wife and I returned home from a trip to Asia. While I was there, I went surfing, among other things, and constantly struggled with daily disposable lenses because I otherwise always wear glasses (short-sightedness, 1.25 dioptres). In the evenings, I would find myself searching for the lenses, if I hadn’t already lost them during my dives. After returning, I had a clear wish: a future without glasses!

After returning, we visited the optician (for sunglasses) and I asked him whether laser surgery would be an option for my prescription. He said yes, but that a preliminary assessment would have to be carried out. we also got onto the subject of costs, and he mentioned a customer who had his eyes operated on in Turkey. Turkey?! I had never considered that before, as the terms surgery and Turkey did not really seem to go together for me. But my interest was piqued. I wanted to know more about it.

At home, I carried out some research on the internet. I quickly came across the homepage of www.swisslasik.ch. I printed out the entire website, read through it, and compared the contents with the information provided by clinics in Switzerland. After all my reading, I came to the conclusion that several factors are significant for a successful operation:

-Preliminary examination and determining the correction for the laser
-Experience of the doctor
-Technical standard of the laser equipment
-Sterility of the operating environment

After studying forums, experience reports, and newspaper articles, I came to the conclusion that an operation in Turkey represents an alternative. However, I definitely did not want to get involved with any unknown clinics or adventures. Overall, the offer from Swisslasik seemed convincing to me: preliminary and follow-up examinations in Switzerland, complete organisation of the trip, contact persons in German, a long-established clinic with state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified and experienced doctors. My decision was soon made: I want to do this. The timing is right and I want to move forward now.

Der nächste Schritt bestand in der Kontaktaufnahme mit Swisslasik. Ich empfand die Betreuung durch Herrn Karaagacli als sehr freundlich, hilfsbereit, unkompliziert und nicht drängend. Innerhalb von 3 Tagen konnte ich eine Voruntersuchung in Zürich durchführen. Diese zeigte, dass eine Laseroperation bei meiner Fehlsichtigkeit möglich ist. Der Augenarzt machte mich jedoch auch auf Risiken aufmerksam und erwähnte, dass ich eventuell das Tragen einer Lesebrille in Kauf nehmen müsse. Die Entscheidung sei daher gut zu überlegen. Nach 2 Tagen hatte ich mich entschieden: ja, ich wollte operieren. Möglichst bald, so dass die Augen verheilt sind vor dem Sommer.

At short notice, I was able to find an appointment with Mr. Karaagacli for the weekend after May 1st. I booked the flight myself, and he took care of everything else.

The Operation

Hier ist die Übersetzung des nächsten Abschnitts:
Details zu Flug (Swiss), Hotel und Ähnlichem lasse ich an dieser Stelle beiseite und möchte mit dem Tag in der Klinik fortfahren. Nach einem freien Donnerstag in Istanbul war es nun so weit: Gegen Mittag wurden wir abgeholt und zur Eyestar-Klinik gefahren. Das Gebäude von außen sowie das Treppenhaus sind kein Highlight; der Taxifahrer hat uns jedoch vorsorglich informiert, dass eine Renovierung durch den Eigentümer vorgesehen sei. Im Innern der Klinik sieht alles anders aus: Wir werden in bestem Berndeutsch von Fred begrüßt, der uns alles erklärt und sich herzlich um die Patienten kümmert. Fred ist so etwas wie die Seele der Klinik. Man fühlt sich bei ihm gut aufgehoben.
Nach einer Weile beginnt die Voruntersuchung mit optischen Geräten. Anschließend werden die Augen getropft, um die Pupillen für weitere Abklärungen zu weiten. Danach folgt die Untersuchung durch den Arzt, der später auch die Laseroperation durchführen wird. Wir sprachen Englisch, wobei Fred immer zur Seite stand, um als Dolmetscher zu helfen. Ich fasste rasch Vertrauen zum Arzt: Er schien mir äußerst erfahren, sicher und entspannt. Er hat über 25.000 Laseroperationen durchgeführt. Das gab mir Sicherheit und Ruhe für die spätere Operation.
In den Wartepausen werden wir laufend mit Tee, Cola und Ähnlichem bedient. Es herrscht eine beinahe familiäre Atmosphäre in der halbkreisförmigen, hellen Wartelounge. Wir muntern uns gegenseitig mit ein paar Scherzen auf und nehmen ab und zu Fred auf den Arm. Das hilft, um sich zu entspannen.

The preliminary examination confirmed the results of the check-up in Zurich. The operation is feasible. After the preliminary examination, we still had some time to get something to eat.

At 16.30 we were back at the clinic. After a while, we went to the upper floor where the operating theatre is located. I was next in line for surgery. Fred prepared me with sterile clothing and a surgical cap, applied eye drops, and explained what would happen next. To my own surprise, I was tense but internally calm. Based on my experiences so far, I had full confidence in the clinic and its staff. In the operating theatre, the first step is positioning the body and head on the couch. Then a covering mask is placed over the head (though you can still see out) and the eyelids are fixed in place. Subsequently, a suction ring is applied to the eye so that the so-called flap can be lifted with the keratome. The suction is uncomfortable as pressure is applied to the eye. Once the laser is in the correct position (you continuously look at small green lights to ensure the eye is positioned correctly), the doctor gives the command: Hold your position now. The laser is switched on, vision temporarily becomes blurrier, but I continue to look in the same direction and maintain my position. With my weak correction of 1.25, the laser procedure is over after about 10 seconds. I felt no pain. The procedure is then repeated on the other eye. After a maximum of 10 minutes on the operating table, the intervention is over. Fred helps me up and leads me into a minimally lit side room where I can lie down. The next 3 hours or so require patience: the eyes are sensitive to light and they sting a bit. It is bearable, but you prefer not to have any light sources nearby. Once all operations are completed, we are led back downstairs. A follow-up examination by the operating surgeon takes place there. Fred instructs us on how to use the provided eye drops. Afterwards, we are taken back to the hotel. I am glad to be able to lie down. To protect the eyes, eye patches were provided for the first night. I fall asleep quickly. In the early morning, I want to find out the result and remove the eye patches. No more stinging and sharp vision! I can see the fibres of the wallpaper in the hotel room and I am inwardly delighted that I can see so clearly.

Afterwards

Around midday on the day after the surgery, we are picked up for the follow-up examination. There is a great deal of excitement at the clinic, and everyone shares how they have been doing on the morning after.

Then the examination takes place with the help of optical instruments and by the doctor. Everything is in order and progressing well. Vision is good and sharp. Now it is a matter of taking care of the eyes, applying the drops regularly, and under no circumstances rubbing the eyes. Initially, I had concerns that I might rub my eyes unconsciously. But after an initial phase and a few mental exercises, that largely subsided. However, I tried to be as careful as possible during the first 2 weeks after the operation. I definitely did not want to mess up the good result of the surgery through careless behaviour.

It has now been almost four weeks since the operation. During the two days following it, we strolled through Istanbul and enjoyed ourselves. The first follow-up examination in Switzerland is scheduled for next week. I am confident that everything is in order. As I understand it, my visual acuity is very research (just as it was before with glasses). In the first few days after the surgery, my eyes were still a bit sensitive to light, but that subsided quickly. Working at the computer for my job was also easily possible three days after the procedure. In the meantime, I have also started exercising again. I enjoy being able to perceive everything accurately without glasses and am happy that the operation and the healing process so far have gone so well.

I can recommend Swisslasik and the Eyestar Clinic. Anyone wishing to undergo Lasik surgery can place their trust in these two organisations. The decision for or against a Lasik operation lies with the patient: those who can internally say yes to an operation with all the known risks (which also exist at home) can consider having the surgery at the Eyestar Clinic. For me, even in hindsight, it was a good decision.

I wish everyone who is considering an operation much success and good vision!

S. Grossen, 26 May 2008