My LASIK ISTANBUL experience report – Report from Wednesday, May 28, 2008

My experience with laser eye surgery

The beginning

At the beginning of April this year, my wife and I returned home from a trip to Asia. While there, I went surfing among other activities and had to struggle with daily contact lenses, as I normally always wear glasses (short-sightedness, 1.25 dioptres). In the evenings, I would then look for the lenses if I had not already lost them during diving trips. After returning, I had a clear wish: to live without glasses in the future.

After our return, we went to the optician (to look at sunglasses), and I asked him whether laser surgery would be an option for my correction. He said yes, but that a preliminary assessment would be necessary. We also talked about the costs, and he told me about a customer who had had his eyes operated on in Turkey. Turkey?! I had never considered that before, as the concepts of surgery and Turkey did not really go together for me. But my interest was piqued. I wanted to find out more about it.

At home, I carried out some “research” on the internet. I quickly came across the website www.swisslasik.ch. I printed out the entire website, read through it and compared the content with the information provided by clinics in Switzerland. After all this reading, I came to the conclusion that several factors are important for a successful operation:

– Preliminary examination and determination of the laser correction
– Experience of the surgeon
– Technical standard of the laser equipment
– Sterility of the operating environment

After studying forums, testimonials and newspaper articles, I came to the conclusion that an operation in Turkey represents a viable alternative. However, I did not want to get involved with unknown clinics or any kind of adventure under any circumstances. Overall, the offer from Swisslasik seemed convincing to me: pre- and post-operative examinations in Switzerland, complete organisation of the trip, German-speaking contacts, a long-established clinic with state-of-the-art equipment, and highly qualified and experienced doctors. My decision was soon made: this is what I want to do. The timing is right and it was time to move forward.

The next step was to get in touch with Swisslasik. I found the support provided by Mr Karaagacli to be very friendly, helpful, straightforward and not pushy. Within three days, I was able to undergo a preliminary examination in Zurich. This showed that laser surgery was possible for my refractive error. However, the ophthalmologist also made me aware of potential risks and mentioned that I might have to accept wearing reading glasses. The decision therefore needed careful consideration. After two days, I had made up my mind: yes, I wanted to go ahead with the operation. As soon as possible, so that my eyes would be healed before the summer.

At short notice, I was able to find an appointment with Mr Karaagacli for the weekend after 1 May. I booked the flight myself, and he took care of everything else.

The operation

I will leave aside the details about the flight (Swiss), the hotel and similar matters at this point and would like to continue with the day at the clinic. After a free Thursday in Istanbul, the time had come: around midday we were picked up and driven to the EyeStar Clinic. From the outside, the building and the stairwell are nothing special; however, the taxi driver had already informed us in advance that a renovation by the owner was planned. Inside the clinic, everything looks completely different: we are greeted in excellent Bernese Swiss German by Fred, who explains everything to us and takes very warm care of the patients. Fred is something like the soul of the clinic. You feel in safe hands with him. After a while, the preliminary examinations begin using optical devices. This is followed by eye drops to dilate the pupils for further assessments. Then comes the examination by the doctor, who will later also perform the laser operation. We spoke English, with Fred always on hand to help as an interpreter. I quickly gained trust in the doctor: he seemed extremely experienced, confident and relaxed. He has performed over 25,000 laser procedures. This gave me reassurance and calm for the subsequent operation. During the waiting periods, we are continuously served tea, cola and the like. There is an almost family-like atmosphere in the semi-circular, bright waiting lounge. We encourage each other with a few jokes and occasionally tease Fred. That helps us to relax.

The preliminary examination confirmed the result of the examination in Zurich. The operation was feasible. After the preliminary examination, we still had some time to eat something.

At 4:30 p.m. we were back at the clinic. After a while, we went up to the upper floor where the operating theatre is located. I was next in line for the procedure. Fred prepared me with sterile clothing and a head cap, applied eye drops and explained what would happen next. To my own surprise, I was tense but calm inside. Based on everything I had experienced so far, I had complete confidence in the clinic and its staff.
In the operating theatre, the first step is positioning the body and head on the operating table. A covering mask is then placed over the head (although you can still see out), and the eyelids are fixed in place. The eye is then suctioned with a ring so that the so-called flap can be lifted using the keratome. The suction is unpleasant, as pressure is applied to the eye. When the laser is in the correct position (you continuously look at green lights to ensure proper positioning of the eye), the doctor gives the command: “Hold the position now.” The laser is activated, vision becomes temporarily blurred, but I continue looking in the same direction and hold the position. With my mild correction of 1.25 dioptres, the laser procedure is over after about ten seconds. I did not feel any pain. The same procedure is then repeated on the other eye. After a maximum of ten minutes on the operating table, the intervention is over.
Fred helps me up and leads me into a dimly lit adjoining room where I can lie down. The next approximately three hours require patience: the eyes are sensitive to light and burn slightly. It is bearable, but you want to have as little light around you as possible. After all procedures have been completed, we are taken back downstairs. There, a follow-up examination is carried out by the operating doctor. Fred instructs us on how to use the prescribed eye drops. Afterwards, we are taken back to the hotel. I am glad to be able to lie down. To protect the eyes, eye patches are provided for the first night. I soon fall asleep.
Early in the morning, curiosity gets the better of me and I remove the eye patches. No more burning and sharp vision! I can see the fibres of the wallpaper in the hotel room and feel a quiet joy at how clearly I can see.

Afterwards

Around midday on the day after the operation, we are picked up for the follow-up examination. There is a great buzz in the clinic, and everyone is talking about how they felt on the morning after the procedure.

The examination is then carried out using optical devices and by the doctor. Everything is in order and progressing well. Vision is good and sharp. Now it is important to take proper care of the eyes, apply the drops regularly and under no circumstances rub the eyes. Initially, I had concerns that I might rub my eyes unconsciously. However, after an initial phase and a few “mental exercises”, this largely subsided. Nevertheless, I tried to be as cautious as possible during the first two weeks after the operation. I did not want to jeopardise the good result of the procedure through careless behaviour.

It is now almost four weeks since the operation. In the two days afterwards, we strolled around Istanbul and enjoyed ourselves. Next week, the first follow-up examination in Switzerland is scheduled. I am confident that everything is in order. The visual acuity is, in my understanding, very good (as it was before with glasses). In the first few days after the operation, my eyes were still somewhat sensitive to light, but this quickly subsided. Work at the computer, which is required for my job, was already quite manageable three days after the procedure. In the meantime, I have also started doing sports again. I enjoy being able to perceive everything clearly without glasses and am happy that the operation and the healing process so far have gone so well.

I can recommend Swisslasik and the EyeStar Clinic. Anyone who wishes to undergo LASIK surgery can place their trust in these two organisations. The decision for or against LASIK surgery lies with the patient: anyone who can say yes internally to an operation with all the known risks (which also exist at home) can consider having the procedure at the EyeStar Clinic. For me, it was a good decision even in hindsight.

I wish everyone who is considering an operation the very best of luck and excellent vision!

S. Grossen, May 26, 2008