Swisslasik experience report – Report from Sunday, January 1, 2012

The desire to live without glasses had been with us for a long time, but it was only after a friend shared her experiences with Swisslasik that we began to look into it more seriously. First, we gathered information on the Swisslasik website, then met Mr. Karaagaçli in person at the Fespo in Zürich, where he provided detailed explanations. Our trust in Swisslasik was immediate, and on Thursday, 15 December 2011, we set off for Istanbul. A few days before departure, we received our Swisslasik pass and e-tickets, allowing us to fly stress-free after completing online check-in.
As promised, we were picked up at the airport by a driver who safely took us to the hotel. Park City Hotel provided a small but clean room. The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the breakfast buffet offered something for every taste. We felt well looked after and could easily explore the vibrant Taksim district on foot.
On Friday morning, our driver took us punctually to Acibadem Hospital, giving us a first taste of Istanbul’s traffic. The hospital made a very good first impression; we were warmly welcomed and soon guided to the ophthalmology department in the basement. That morning, we were scheduled for laser eye surgery alongside a third patient from Switzerland.
Over the next two hours, various tests were conducted to determine our suitability for surgery. The testing process felt hectic and lacked clear communication, leaving us somewhat confused as we were moved from room to room. The assistant performing the tests appeared very stressed, and our German translator did not take the time to fully explain the procedure. Fortunately, the third patient had already completed the tests in Switzerland and was able to inform us about each step. We were also warned by her before receiving certain eye drops that would burn intensely for a few seconds.
After these tests, we finally had a consultation with our doctor. She appeared very competent and calm and explained the operation in English. Thankfully, both of us were suitable candidates for LASIK. After further waiting, Daniel was first taken to the operating room. Unfortunately, he experienced significant complications with his right eye, requiring the vacuum to be applied twice and the insertion of a protective lens afterward due to the stress on the eye. Karin’s procedure, however, went smoothly without any complications.
The burning and scratching sensation in the eyes after the operation was intense, and we were unable to open our eyes due to constant tearing. We were informed that these symptoms were normal and would soon subside. After a brief follow-up about an hour after the operation, we waited for our transport back to the hotel. Unfortunately, it didn’t arrive until another half hour later, which was very uncomfortable given the pain we were experiencing. On top of that, there was a driver change in the middle of a traffic jam on the highway, which was worrying since we could barely see. Eventually, we arrived at the hotel and were finally able to lie down and recover from the ordeal. After an hour, we ordered a nice meal to our room, and we already felt much better. The symptoms had subsided, and only minor discomfort remained. Even at this point, we could see very well without glasses, which brought immense joy. That evening, we went out and were amazed by the clarity of our vision.
On Saturday, we had a follow-up at Acibadem Hospital and a final consultation with our doctor. She explained to Daniel what had gone wrong with his right eye during the operation. Subsequent check-ups in Switzerland confirmed that the surgery was successful for both of us, and we hope to go a long time without needing visual aids.
In conclusion, we were very satisfied with Swisslasik’s organization, the support from Mr. Karaagaçli, who was always reachable by phone, and the hotel. However, communication at Acibadem Hospital should be improved so that patients feel well taken care of from start to finish. We have already shared our experience with friends and acquaintances and recommended Swisslasik. This operation has given us back a lot of quality of life, and we are grateful to Swisslasik for their support.
—20.02.2012, Karin & Daniel N.