Spotlessly clean, state-of-the-art equipment everywhere, and competent staff to operate! – Report from Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Sascha Luderer, laser surgery at Acibadem Hospital Istanbul, March 2015.

I have been considering having my eyes lasered for about two years, as my astigmatism and nearsightedness were becoming increasingly difficult to correct with contact lenses.

During an online search, I came across swisslasik.ch and, in the time leading up to my decision to have the surgery, I repeatedly read the patient testimonials on the website. What truly convinced me was attending the information evening they offered, where the surgeon, Prof. Dr. Cosar, was also present.
Her competent and honest explanations about the possibilities of laser treatment, the risks, and the chances of success convinced me that treatment at the Acibadem Hospital in Turkey was the right choice.

I also decided to have the preliminary examination in Zurich to get a second opinion and avoid having to fly to Istanbul if the operation wasn’t possible. The preliminary examination raised concerns due to my severe astigmatism, and my documents were forwarded to the Acibadem Hospital for further evaluation by the surgeon. About three days later, I received the news that the surgery was possible and that there was approximately an 80% chance of achieving full visual acuity.

Since I am practically “blind” without corrective lenses, even 80% seemed like a great success to me…

I then booked the “standard package” to be able to plan my trip myself and flexibly, as I had to travel on to Bangkok after the surgery appointment.

The airport pickup was perfect and I was taken to my chosen hotel (Radisson Blu Pera – highly recommended, as it offers great food with a fantastic view and excellent service).
The next morning there was another transfer, this time to Acibadem Hospital.

Acibadem is a hospital that can rival any private hospital in Switzerland (I can only speak for the ophthalmology department and the general impression). Spotlessly clean, state-of-the-art equipment everywhere, and competent staff to serve.

I was immediately picked up at reception by a trusted person who spoke German and English, who also accompanied me to my appointments and translated if necessary, should the English, which everyone there spoke excellently, not work out.

After a preliminary examination lasting approximately 30 minutes, there was a consultation with Professor Cosar, who explained to me once again that the chances of perfect vision after the surgery were 80% and that I might need reading glasses for near vision (all of this was already discussed in detail at the information evening – definitely go).

After that, there was a waiting period of about two hours, which I used to read (with my glasses). Then things moved very quickly. I was led into the operating area, given eye drops, and five minutes later I was already under the laser.

Professor Cosar guided me through the procedure with competence and complete calm. Every step was explained, and essentially, you just stare at a red dot the whole time. That’s all there is to it, and although it’s a strange feeling having someone “tweaking” your eyes, the procedure is completely painless.
I won’t forget the sensation of looking at that blurry red dot, noticing the slight, burnt smell of my cornea, and watching it suddenly become sharp as the laser makes the correction. A truly memorable experience.

The surgery took no more than 10 minutes and, according to Professor Cosar, was 100% successful. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see much of the results yet, as relatively soon after the operation, while I was back in the waiting room, tears started streaming from my eyes and I had a painful, gritty feeling. I had been prepared for this; I knew it was coming. Even so, I had great difficulty opening my eyes at all, which was necessary for the brief follow-up examination and the transfer back to the hotel.

Perhaps the only suggestion for improvement here is this: Instead of being taken straight back to the hotel after the surgery and then driving for over an hour through Istanbul, with everything running down my face and all I want to do is lie down and hide away, I would have preferred to stay overnight in a hospital room. I was told the next day that this would have been possible, and I certainly would have taken advantage of it if it had been offered beforehand. But perhaps some tougher types would see things differently…

Back at the hotel, I took a painkiller, and after about two hours, the ordeal was suddenly over. I remember it was exactly two hours because I could see and read the clock on the television on the other side of the room. I then enjoyed dinner for the first time in my life without glasses or contact lenses in the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, gazing at a view I’d never seen before. It was magical, and that was less than four hours after the surgery. I wore the protective goggles I’d been given all evening and into the night to avoid accidentally rubbing my eyes.

The next morning I was picked up again and taken to the Acibadem Hospital for a follow-up examination, where I was examined one last time by Professor Cosar and was able to see for myself that my vision was 110%. I’ve never seen so well in my entire life, not even with glasses or contact lenses.
I still don’t need reading glasses.

However, should I ever decide to have my age-related farsightedness corrected (if it ever develops), I will certainly use the services of Swisslasik and the Acibadem Hospital in Istanbul again.

Many thanks to everyone involved, you did a really good job!

Kind regards,

Sascha Luderer