My laser eye surgery in April 2011 – report from Thursday, June 2, 2011

Patient report by Daniel Ege, 2 June 2011
Around six years ago, I first thought about having my eyes lasered. At the time, I was still in training, so I did not pursue it any further because it was financially impossible to fulfil this dream. I therefore got by with glasses and all kinds of contact lenses with minus 4.25 dioptres. But anyone who wears contact lenses knows the problem. Whenever you were away for a longer period, you had to remember not to forget your lenses, and your glasses always had to be in your luggage as well. When swimming, they were easily lost, or you could not see anything at all because you do not go into the water wearing glasses.
Since last December, the topic became relevant again. As I was about to change jobs in April and had treated myself to a month off, this was the perfect time to have my eyes lasered. I informed myself about several providers and also spoke to people who had already undergone the procedure. All of them were satisfied. As a sceptical person, that was not enough for me. I therefore tried to arrange a personal consultation, which I was granted by Swisslasik. There, I was able to ask all my questions, and they were answered.
I then decided on 5 April, as a German-speaking group was being organised on that date. We travelled on 4 April and still had the rest of the day free to familiarise ourselves with the surroundings. On the fifth, we had the preliminary examination in the morning, during which it was decided whether we were approved for the operation. I had already undergone such a preliminary examination in Switzerland because I did not want to travel to Istanbul for nothing. During this examination, it was discovered that I first needed to have my retina stabilised, as weaknesses were already visible. This was taken care of immediately. Then we travelled to Istanbul, where I was once again told that I was now suitable for the operation.
The surgery was scheduled for the afternoon. We were given a very small calming tablet, which we probably all needed. Then it began. We were taken into another room, white, sterile and quiet. The first of the four of us went in. About 20 minutes later, he came back out of the operating theatre. I was the last one to go. Wobbly knees and the thought that it was still not too late to back out accompanied me through the preparation. I simply let everything happen.
First, we were dressed in sterile clothing, then came the eye drops, and then things moved very quickly. You were taken to the operating table, lay down and were positioned under the laser. The operation caused no pain; it was simply an uncomfortable sensation when the eye was touched. You do notice the cut during LASIK, but it does not hurt. Then came the laser. There was briefly a rather pungent smell, like burnt tissue. Otherwise, you feel nothing at all. The lasering took around 18 seconds per eye. The coolest thing was that I could watch from the other side as the flap was placed back onto the eye. And then it was already over.
Hardly had I stood up when I carefully but curiously opened my eyes. And, to my amazement, I could see everything clearly, still slightly misty but razor-sharp. I also did not experience the sensitivity to light that is often mentioned. We were then taken to a recovery room, but I was there for no more than five minutes. I felt as if I were in a dream. Back with the group, I was already sending a text message home saying that everything had gone well. Shortly afterwards, at the follow-up check, the doctors were very satisfied, and I felt as if I had been reborn.
We then went back to the hotel to sleep, because all that nervousness makes you tired. In the evening, we went out for a drink and enjoyed our vision. On the third day, there was another check-up. While waiting for our turn, we had already tested our visual acuity ourselves and tried to recognise car number plates as far away as possible. The result was impressive. After everyone’s check-up went well, we went on an excursion through Istanbul. It was funny that we had to use eye drops every full hour, and always together, no matter where we were. In a restaurant, we even met others whom we were able to identify by the eye drops as well.
All in all, I am very satisfied with how everything went. Just one small tip: if you are serious about it, do not watch short videos on YouTube before the operation showing eye laser surgery up close. It looks worse than it really is and only makes you nervous.
Now, about two months later, I am back at work, actively doing sport again, and enjoying it all with my new vision. Wonderful.
To good eyesight,
Daniel Ege