Experience report: Lasik surgery in Istanbul, March 2011 – Report from Monday, April 11, 2011

I have been wearing glasses for 25 years and contact lenses for 20 years. My vision depended on -5 diopters and astigmatism correction. For the past six months, I had increasing difficulty tolerating lenses, often experiencing dry, red eyes, and using only glasses made activities like swimming with my child, sports, or visiting the sauna cumbersome.
A colleague told me she had her eyes lasered at EyeStar in Istanbul through Swisslasik and achieved excellent results. I researched further, comparing different laser techniques and recommendations with Swiss eye centers. From a professional standpoint, there is no difference between the surgery in Switzerland and Istanbul. The doctor at EyeStar had performed over 20,000 laser procedures—a level of experience no Swiss ophthalmologist could match.
Of course, cost was also a deciding factor. In Switzerland, the procedure is more than twice as expensive, whereas Swisslasik offers a complete package—including flight, pick-up service, hotel, surgery, and follow-up care—at half the price. Since health insurance no longer covers glasses or lenses, I finally decided on Swisslasik.
When I contacted Mr. Karaagaçli, he responded promptly to all my questions. I chose a suitable date, and the booking and preparation went perfectly. Swisslasik provided detailed information about the process in Istanbul. Ten days before departure, I received the Swisslasik Pass with all the details about the surgery and travel.
At the Istanbul airport, I was picked up in a private car by a clinic employee who spoke German and informed me of the clinic pick-up schedule. The clinic was modern inside, and I was greeted by a Swiss German–speaking staff member, who explained each step and translated for the doctor, who was very friendly and competent. I felt well taken care of.
A thorough preliminary examination was conducted, and two hours later, it was time for the laser procedure. I was nervous but well supported. The procedure was somewhat uncomfortable but progressed quickly. Afterward, my eyes were tearing heavily, and I could barely open them. Following a short rest and another check, I returned to the hotel with eye drops and pain medication. I had a mild headache from the tension but soon fell asleep.
After two hours, my headache was gone, and the tearing had stopped. My vision was already sharp, though with a slight haze. I rested my eyes again for about two hours. Roughly four hours after the procedure, my eyes were nearly free of discomfort. Around 10:00 p.m., I eagerly went outside to experience the incredible feeling of seeing clearly without glasses. About an hour later, I went back to bed. The next morning, my vision was completely clear and sharp. I didn’t even experience glare from the sunlight. I enjoyed a hearty breakfast with my “new” eyes and then went for the follow-up check. I see 100%—everything went perfectly. After that, I explored Istanbul. I don’t regret the procedure for a second; it’s an amazing feeling of freedom and quality of life.
Prisca Wagner, Altnau