Eye surgery in Istanbul – a massive increase in quality of life – report from Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Hello Swisslasik
Since my ophthalmologist issued a contact lens ban this year and my glasses often bothered me during sports and daily life, I looked into the possibility of laser eye surgery in detail this spring. After reading a detailed article in Migros Magazine about the option of laser eye surgery in Istanbul, and finding exclusively positive reviews online, I decided to go ahead with the operation via Swisslasik.
Over the Ascension weekend, I flew to Istanbul with two friends to treat myself to “double sharp” vision. We were welcomed immediately upon arrival in perfect German by the local team, and shortly afterwards we took the ferry towards central Istanbul. We were accommodated in a cosy neighbourhood – five minutes’ walk from the centre – in a small but beautiful hotel. The reception was friendly, the rooms modern and practical, and the wireless connection worked perfectly. We were then informed that within 24 hours we would no longer need glasses, but let’s go step by step.
The next morning we were picked up at 10:00 and, after walking a few steps through some quiet streets, the EyeStar Clinic appeared before us. Modest from the outside, the interior revealed a modern high-tech clinic. After a short wait, a thorough examination was carried out by a German-speaking medical team. The same tests previously done in Switzerland were repeated. For the final consultation, we were called into the chief doctor’s office. The friendly doctor explained my type of visual impairment in detail in perfect English and stated that a LASEK procedure would be the most effective approach for me. He explained exactly how the procedure would work and assured me that there was nothing to worry about. After all, the clinic performs ten operations daily, mostly for patients from Switzerland, Germany, or Austria, without complaints to date.
With a healthy dose of respect but in good spirits, we returned to the clinic in the afternoon. Soon, we were waiting in blue surgical socks and sterile gowns. I was first in line, and before I knew it, I was back in the waiting room – the operation successfully completed. A few drops of anaesthetic in the eyes, a few practiced hand movements, a brief red flicker, just 10 seconds of laser treatment per eye, and the procedure was over.
The following two days, despite high light sensitivity, watery eyes at night, and slight scratching, we explored various sights in Istanbul. One quickly became accustomed to the different eye drops. Daily check-ups were performed, and all possible questions regarding recovery were answered. My eyes did not recover instantly, but steadily, and to my great joy the world around me became increasingly sharp and clear. I was a little surprised that, back in Switzerland, I had some difficulty reading or working at the computer for about a week. It was manageable, but my eyes tired quickly and occasionally needed a short break. Now – about four weeks later – eye drops, contact lenses, and glasses are definitely a thing of the past. My eyes are somewhat more sensitive to light than before, but that is only a minor issue. Not needing glasses anymore is truly incredible, and I sometimes wonder why I didn’t take this step sooner. The quality of life in everyday activities has improved enormously, and you can imagine how enjoyable squash, jogging, or diving is without the now somewhat outdated glasses frame.
David Tilge