The dream of seeing without glasses – it came true in Istanbul… – Report from Friday, May 18, 2012
It actually started as a New Year’s idea. It was based on a success story from a friend’s sister. This sister had laser surgery for severe nearsightedness – in Istanbul! In Istanbul? Yes, apparently it went perfectly and competently. Could that really be true? My sister-in-law was more excited than I was, especially because she was frustrated with her reading glasses. So, I started searching online and quickly found Swisslasik Thun. I was immediately convinced. The contact person, Mr. Karagaacli, was very friendly and convincing on the phone. My diopter values seemed to be suitable for laser treatment. After a couple of nights of thinking and talking it over with my husband, I decided to go for it. Gaby, my sister-in-law, wanted to join me and also have an eye test at the “Acibadem” clinic, despite her age-related farsightedness. Maybe there would be a chance for her too – the hope of laser treatment dies last. Unfortunately, her hope was not fulfilled; she was not suitable for laser surgery.
My husband and daughter also wanted to experience the event, so we quickly planned a short family trip to Istanbul. Everything was organized (flight, hotel, pre-examination, surgery, and follow-up) by Mr. Karagaacli. Whenever I felt unsure, I contacted him via phone or email, and with just a few reassuring words, he put all my doubts to rest. A few days before departure, I received a LASERPASS. This booklet contained all the essential and useful information, including tips for the surgery, aftercare, and suggestions for Istanbul’s attractions. At the airport, we would be picked up with a sign from the ACIBADEM clinic. Excited and curious about what was to come, we landed in Istanbul after a pleasant Swiss flight, keeping an eye out for our chauffeur as we exited the plane – hundreds of signs were stretched out in front of us – but unfortunately, we couldn’t spot ours.
However, a quick phone call to the clinic solved the issue, and we were instructed to take a taxi, with the cost being reimbursed. With a bit of a queasy “this is how it starts” feeling in my stomach, I contacted my Turkish angel in Switzerland. He immediately called back and apologized, explaining that he couldn’t understand why it went wrong. Well, we’re in Turkey after all… From that point on, everything went smoothly. The chauffeurs who drove us between the hotel and the clinic were always 30 minutes early.
On the afternoon of our arrival and again on Wednesday, we explored Istanbul in a culinary and cultural way. It was wonderful. Chaotic, loud, colorful, but charming. On Thursday morning, we were picked up at 7 a.m. (oh my God). At the clinic, which resembled a congress center, we were greeted by Mr. Tolga, who would take care of me (as I would soon find out, I needed it more than I expected). The pre-examinations went smoothly but took time. I was warned about that beforehand. But it took hours until the surgery. I advise anyone interested to bring a book or magazines to kill the time. We did make a nice acquaintance: a Swiss woman with her Turkish friend. Thanks to her insider knowledge, we managed to “escape” the clinic for a few hours and visit a nearby shopping mall. That was fun and very helpful.
Unfortunately, I needed to undergo the Femto-laser technique with a special device. This is quite delicate and cost an additional 500 euros. My cornea is very, very thin and extremely elastic, and it had to be specially lasered (this occurs in about 3 out of 10 patients). I bravely accepted this. Equipped with head and shoe covers and protective clothing, I was escorted to the operating zone and given eye drops. During the preliminary laser procedure, which was a piece of cake, it became clear that the Femto technique could no longer be done on the same day for health reasons. This stressed me out a bit, but there was nothing I could do about it.
Throughout the entire process (except in the operating room), Gaby stayed by my side, providing me with much-needed calm and courage. At that moment, it was bitterly necessary. After being half-lasered and feeling completely exhausted, we took the chauffeur back to the hotel. I only wanted one thing: sleep, sleep, sleep. Meanwhile, I missed a delicious Turkish dinner with my loved ones. On Friday morning, I returned to the clinic. After another 2 ½ hours of waiting, I was led into the operating room by Mr. Tolga.
What followed was not exactly pleasant. My special corneal situation led to complications. The right eye went relatively well, but my left eye became problematic—for both me and probably the doctor. The cornea kept folding back. Mr. Tolga had a hard time calming me down. (Unfortunately, I didn’t receive a sedative beforehand.) “Please, Mrs. Regina, look at the center, you’re making it very hard for us!” Well, where exactly was I supposed to look? I saw flashes, red lights, green lights, and felt every movement on my eye. I also cursed New Year’s Eve 2011/12, trembling all over and filled with great fear. Twice in a row, I had to go through this procedure on my left eye. Finally, after what felt like 10 hours—relief. “Well done, everything is okay!”
The doctor’s reassuring hands on my face—cold, trembling hands—made me feel a bit better. My husband finally picked me up after an hour (instead of the 10 minutes I was told) and demanded a sedative and painkiller for me. I was completely exhausted and so glad he was with me. On my request, we took the subway back to the hotel. We could board directly from the clinic, and it took us to Taksim Square faster than any taxi. The taxi ride the day before had made me feel nauseous, so I wanted to avoid that.
With my giant black protective glasses, I looked like a monster, but no one cared. At the hotel, I took a sleeping pill, sent my husband and daughter on a planned Bosphorus boat trip with my sister-in-law, and fell asleep in no time.
Then, 4 hours later, at 5 p.m. – eyes open – clear vision – wow! Finally, I experienced that sense of happiness that laser patients describe in their reports. I could see without glasses. I even saw the dilapidated building across from the hotel window as something beautiful! I felt reborn and just wanted one thing: to get out into the hustle and bustle, disguised with my normal black sunglasses.
Indescribable, I could see clearly. I could even write SMS without glasses! The magic had worked. And this despite being told beforehand that I would definitely need reading glasses after the laser surgery.
My eyes were red after the painful ordeal. The left one looked zombie-like, bloodshot and terrible. But I was told it would go away. Very important was the regular and proper therapy with eye drops. The doctor wanted to do one last follow-up examination before I flew home, which reassured me a lot. Once again, everything was perfectly organized. We were picked up from the hotel with our bags, made a stop at the clinic, and then continued to the airport. The doctor was satisfied and recommended a check-up in four weeks in Zurich.
On Saturday evening, we arrived home, happy and content after this laser adventure. I hid my zombie look the following week with lightly tinted sunglasses, which I even wore at work so as not to scare people 🙂 After just one week, it no longer looked bad; my gaze returned to normal, whiter, and friendlier. The examination in Zurich (again top-level) after four weeks showed that the left eye still had a film over it, which is why I didn’t see as clearly on the left side as on the right. The ophthalmologist measured 98% vision in the right eye and 75% in the left. However, this will improve further as the eye heals completely. There’s still a slight astigmatism, but it actually helps me read quite well without glasses. Another examination in mid-June will show the final vision result.
Either way, I would do it again, as my life has truly improved in terms of vision in the most pleasant way. I would also get my eyes lasered in Istanbul again. The way they handled what was certainly an unusual situation speaks to a competent and highly trained team. Compliments to everyone! I can highly recommend this clinic. It’s definitely worth being “brave,” although it wasn’t even necessary because I am sure this hospital can stand up to any Swiss hospital. Swiss-Lasik from A to Z did a great job. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Pure culture.
Our hotel…
No, no, more like this one.
Wonderfully centrally located. Taksim Square and Taksim shopping street with its many lovely restaurants are just a 5-minute walk away. Good food – no problem, and very, very affordable too.
Queen Renggli