Switzerland could learn a thing or two about care – report from Tuesday, November 30, 2010

23 October, at last the time had come. After around fifteen years of contact lenses and glasses, I finally decided to have my eyes lasered. How did I come to this decision? Very simply: spontaneously. As I could no longer tolerate contact lenses and absolutely hated my glasses, it was a very short consideration. Of course, not everyone gets the idea of doing this in Turkey, at least not anyone I know. But I had seen several reports on television and done some research online, and that is how I ended up on this website: Swisslasik. That was in the summer of 2009. I requested information material and made contact by telephone. After that, it was really just a question of choosing a date. As mentioned, things started on 22 October. I boarded the plane to Istanbul with my mother in tow. We were picked up by an extremely friendly staff member who spoke perfect German and driven to the hotel. The next morning, we were collected together with another patient from Zurich and taken to the clinic, which was only about a five-minute walk from the hotel. Once again, everyone was very friendly, and the preliminary examination passed very quickly. We were then told that the operation would take place two hours later. Slowly, I started to feel a bit nervous, but more out of anticipation than fear. As our clinic was experiencing technical problems, we were taken to another one, which from the outside already looked more like a five-star hotel. The lasering itself took only about twenty seconds, and throughout the entire procedure our friendly driver, I believe his name was Fred, was always by my side and translated what the doctor was saying. This gave me a very safe and reassuring feeling. Once everything was over, the four of us, three patients and my mum, were taken back to the hotel. The first evening was quite uncomfortable, not because of pain, but because of the strong sensitivity to light. So it was best to go straight to bed, use the drops and put on the eye pads, as you are not allowed to rub your eyes for the first ten days. But already the next day I was able to see almost one hundred per cent, and the follow-up examination was positive. As a result, my mother and I went on a sightseeing tour in bright sunshine and twenty-three degrees, of course wearing sunglasses. Wonderful, being able to see everything without any aids. I can only recommend this clinic to everyone. The organisation regarding the hotel, transfer service and overall care is simply phenomenal. And the price compared to Switzerland is absolutely incredible. For me, it has now been three weeks, and I have already had my follow-up examination here in Switzerland, which is of course included in the price. Everything is fine with me, and I still cannot quite believe that I can see completely without glasses or contact lenses. You wake up in the morning and do not have to search for your glasses first. The most important thing is simply to use the drops you are given regularly and to continue using the lubricating drops for a long time. I would like to once again sincerely thank everyone at EyeStar. It was a wonderful experience and an even better result. I hope that I have been able to show those who still think that something like this is not safe in Turkey a different picture, because when it comes to care and support, Switzerland or Germany could still learn a thing or two. Warmest greetings from Zurich and many thanks again. Stephanie Wegner