Highest standards in quality and service – Report from Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A Swiss acquaintance of mine had his eyes lasered in Istanbul in the autumn of 2011 and was extremely satisfied with the result. For various reasons, including convenience, I (31 years old) wanted to be able to live again without contact lenses and glasses. Although I didn’t need a major correction (-1.25 and -2.25), I was still tired of the lenses and glasses. So, I went to my ophthalmologist in Zurich, and after a brief preliminary examination, he gave the green light for the laser treatment. Since I directly mentioned that the surgery in Switzerland was too expensive for me, he provided me with a few addresses abroad that would deliver very good results and were highly recommended. SwissLasik was one of them. The contact with SwissLasik was so quick and straightforward that I immediately signed up for the surgery. I organized the flight myself, but I must say that it would have been almost the same price if booked through SwissLasik. Everything else, including the transfer from the airport to the hotel and back, was organised by SwissLasik.
On Thursday evening, we flew to Istanbul. My companion and I were picked up at the airport by a chauffeur and driven to the hotel. On Friday morning, we were picked up early from the hotel and taken to the clinic. At the clinic, we were welcomed by a guest coordinator who also acted as our translator. First, all conceivable tests were conducted. Then I had free time until the early afternoon. My partner and I took a taxi to a nearby shopping mall where we had a relaxed lunch and strolled around. We didn’t buy anything, as the prices in this luxury mall were almost the same as in Switzerland. In fact, we didn’t live as cheaply as expected during these days; Istanbul seems to be too far developed in the West for any real bargains — maybe we were just in the wrong area.
At 3 p.m., we were back at the clinic. There were four other Swiss patients there with me. The five of us had the laser surgery one after the other. The procedure was actually unspectacular! It took approximately 5 to 10 minutes. And immediately after the surgery, I could see perfectly! How amazing that felt!! We were all given these glasses (kind of ski goggles with an elastic band) to wear for 24 hours. I wore mine for the second night as well since I woke up once because I scratched my eye. After all the surgeries were completed, the chauffeur drove us back to the hotel. The drive was a torture. My eyes began to itch, burn, and felt dry and wet at the same time. Luckily, I had painkillers with me, and my partner helped me find the way (I kept my eyes closed to make the unbearable a little bit more tolerable). By 9 p.m., the pain was manageable, and I fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, at 7 a.m., the chauffeur came again, and we went back to the clinic for the follow-up check-up. I met all the Swiss patients from the day before again. It was interesting to hear their experiences! But everyone could see very clearly, was extremely happy, and all would do it again! The follow-up check-up showed at least 100% vision for everyone. We were also given eye drops. My partner and I stayed in Istanbul until Monday to see the city. For our taste, it was a bit too hectic, and the daily traffic jams were too long. But the Bosphorus boat trip at night was very romantic.
Seven days later, I went to my ophthalmologist in Switzerland for the follow-up check-up, and he was impressed by the laser treatment. He said it was very good work. I also brought him the documents (but I had to ask the clinic in Istanbul for them). His comment was: “It couldn’t have been done any better!” Unfortunately, I had to return to work just 5 days after the surgery, sitting at the computer. It wasn’t very comfortable during the first week. My eyes became very tired quickly (within minutes) and I had headaches. Now, 3 months later, I am still very satisfied! The initial blurriness in the dark from, for example, LEDs, is mostly gone. And what could be better than being able to surf without losing the lenses, or not having to struggle with lenses in the evening and morning anymore? It was funny because I went to the bathroom several times in the evening to take my lenses out — but I didn’t even have any in! 🙂 I highly recommend SwissLasik as an organiser and intermediary; the service was more than we ever expected in Switzerland! And the Acibadem clinic is internationally of the highest level and medical quality!
Stéphanie Eugster