Experience report on laser eye surgery in Türkiye – Report from Tuesday, October 2, 2007

“What? Eye surgery in Istanbul? Have you lost your mind? I would never do that there! You only have two eyes!” – That’s the kind of reaction I got when I first told people about my plan to have my eyes operated on at the Eye-Star Clinic in Istanbul. Since I was determined but also a bit nervous, I decided not to tell anyone else. Comments like that didn’t exactly reassure me. I could always tell them about it once it was all over.

Several years ago I had considered having my nearsightedness corrected with laser surgery, but then I abandoned the idea due to the high costs.

When I became aware of Swisslasik through the program “Puls” on Swiss television and also read a report that had been published in “Facts”, my decision was quickly made.

I made an appointment with an ophthalmologist in Zurich for a preventative examination. Due to my severe nearsightedness, I wasn’t sure if the surgery would even be possible. If the results were positive, I planned to go to Istanbul; if negative, the matter would be settled.

During this examination, my eyes were thoroughly examined and measured, and I received the positive news that laser surgery was possible.

I then contacted Mr. Karaagaçli-Leoni of Swisslasik. Mr. Karaagaçli-Leoni organized the operation very quickly and competently, and always answered my questions regarding my stay in Istanbul and the operation promptly and in a very friendly manner.

I felt very well looked after and advised before, during and even after my stay in Istanbul, which was very important to me!

The staff at the Eye-Star Clinic did everything to make me and my companion feel comfortable. We received a very warm welcome, and I was incredibly impressed by the staff’s multilingual skills. Swiss German, German, English, French – they seemed to speak every language!

We were always picked up very punctuously and really enjoyed the transfer service!

At the clinic, I also met several people who had already had eye surgery and were there for a follow-up appointment. Their enthusiastic accounts further reassured me before the operation.

I am now back from Istanbul, and the only thing I regret is not having had the operation much earlier. Just a few hours after the operation, I was already walking around Istanbul and was able to read street signs and similar things. For the first time in over 20 years, I no longer have to wear glasses or contact lenses, but can see clearly 24 hours a day – and this with short-sightedness that was at minus 8 dioptres. The operation was 100 per cent successful, and I am absolutely delighted with my life without visual aids. Gone are the days of crawling around on the bathroom floor because a contact lens has fallen out, or groping for my glasses early in the morning. Next summer, I will be able to swim for the first time without having to worry about my contact lenses, and I can travel without contact lens solution and similar items.

I can highly recommend Swisslasik and the Eye-Star Clinic to everyone and hope that this report will help to dispel prejudices against eye surgery in Turkey among some interested parties.

And finally, this: Istanbul is a beautiful and fascinating city that I will return to one day!

Warm regards

Eva Thoma