My experience with LASIK surgery in Istanbul, November 3, 2010 – Report from Monday, December 27, 2010

My glasses never really bothered me that much. After more than 35 years, we had become accustomed to each other. Cleaning my glasses in the morning was part of the normal daily routine. If it had not been for those situations that became increasingly irritating over time: in the bathroom and the sauna having to press my nose right up against the signs, not being able to wear stylish sunglasses during sport, and the fear on diving holidays that my glasses might fall into the water. Contact lenses were too expensive and too inconvenient for me. As I work myself in the development of surgical devices for ophthalmology, I was able to obtain information independently of providers. After several discussions and reading long-term studies, it became clear that LASIK with pretreatment using a microkeratome was my preferred option. The provider needed to have extensive experience and the most modern equipment. At the same time, it was allowed to be somewhat cheaper than in Switzerland. Nevertheless, I wanted the security of being looked after in Switzerland even after the operation. I found all of this at Swisslasik to my complete satisfaction. The organisation ran entirely smoothly. We were picked up at the airport and comfortably driven to the hotel by a driver who spoke perfect German. Along the way, we were also warned by friends about people who might invite you to nightclubs and in the end help you get rid of the money intended for the operation in a different way. The next morning, directly after breakfast, we were picked up from the hotel. We walked to the clinic. As there were already patients there, we were taken to the comfortable waiting area. The on-site care was very warm and took place in perfect Bernese German. Nevertheless, there was a sense of tension in the air, as we did not yet know whether our eye measurements would allow an operation or not. After the preliminary examination, the doctor gave the reassuring approval. Not everyone was so fortunate that day. A young woman was informed that, in the doctor’s opinion, her values would not allow an operation. From the waiting room, it was possible to catch a glimpse into the operating theatre preparation room. One by one, people were called in. I was able to go last, and the tension increased accordingly. After putting on the surgical clothing and taking a seat in a chair, my eyes were disinfected and the anaesthetic drops were administered. From the operating theatre came the piercing sound of the laser’s cooling system and the doctor’s commands. The high noise level in particular was rather intimidating for me, perhaps precisely because my previous work-related visits to operating theatres had usually been very quiet. After entering the operating theatre, taking a place on the operating table and positioning my head in the mould, my eyes were disinfected once again. The eyelid holder was then inserted and the sterile drape applied. At the latest at this point, it was clear that things were serious. Besides the green light that one was supposed to stare at continuously, the red light patterns caused by the laser also caught the eye. The doctor explained every single step. I found the placement of the suction ring of the microkeratome very unpleasant. It was less about pain, as there was none, and more about the awareness that at that moment the cornea was being flattened and a part of it was being cut. The green light suddenly disappeared as well, and I no longer knew whether I was still looking straight ahead. A sense of uncertainty set in. It was therefore very reassuring when the doctor remarked that he would start lasering immediately and that it would take thirty seconds. I mean, thirty seconds is something one can endure. After the lasering, the flap was folded back and pressed into place with a spatula. After a short pause that I had requested and needed, we moved on to the second eye. Here, the lasering took even less time. Still somewhat unsteady on my feet, I took my first steps out of the operating theatre. Despite the milky vision, I could already see better than before without glasses. Fantastic. Even more than that, however, I was simply relieved that the operation was over. In the anteroom, the assistants then distributed the medication and applied the eye drops for the first time. Precise instructions were given regarding which drops to use, when and how often, and so on. Although it was already evening, the sunglasses were very useful. Nevertheless, the brake lights of cars were so dazzling that I decided to open my eyes again only once I was back at the hotel. In my right eye, I also felt a slight scratching sensation, as if there were a grain of sand in it. There was no such sensation in the left eye. This meant that I was among the luckier ones whose eyes did not burn or otherwise cause discomfort. At the hotel, I went straight to bed, not without first applying the full range of eye drops. The next morning brought the first view over Istanbul, without glasses. The slight scratching in the right eye was still there, but not really bothersome. Now, two months later, life without glasses has become normal. The halos around lights, for example when driving, have reduced significantly. In general, my vision in the dark has improved. During the day I now need reading glasses, but overall it has been worth it. And by the way, Istanbul is well worth a visit. Marcel Roth