My laser eye surgery in Istanbul – report from Saturday, February 6, 2010

Hello Swisslasik team
I decided on 21 January 2010 to have an operation in Istanbul because it was a little too expensive in Switzerland for my budget. Friends gave me the address on the internet and I did some research. Your complete package appealed to me very much. I went for a preliminary examination in Switzerland and the ophthalmologist confirmed that my eyes were suitable. I found that very important, otherwise the whole flight to Istanbul for the operation would have been in vain.
Everything then happened very quickly. Swisslasik organised everything for me: flight, hotel and operation. I was very pleased that everything worked perfectly. I also received a Swisslasik pass containing the most important information, such as who would pick us up, which hotel we would stay in, the operation appointment, and so on.
Then it was finally time to go to Istanbul. I was very excited but relaxed. At the airport we were picked up by a friendly gentleman and driven to the hotel. The room was small but nice and very clean. The next morning he picked us up at 11.00 a.m. very punctually and we walked to the clinic, which was about a five-minute walk away. From the outside it did not look like a clinic at all, but appearances can be deceptive. For hygiene reasons we immediately had to put covers over our shoes. I was very impressed by how clean everything was.
We were welcomed very warmly and everything that would happen was explained to us in German. My eyes were first examined using various devices and then the operating doctor also examined us again. He was a very kind and pleasant man. Unfortunately, he only spoke English, but everything was translated for me into German. He answered all my questions competently and in detail.
In the afternoon, at 3.30 p.m., it was finally time for the operation. Beforehand, I was given a calming tablet and the eye drops for after the operation were explained to me. It was my turn straight away. The operation took about 15 minutes and went very quickly. After the operation, I had some difficulty opening my eyes, but it was manageable. I had no pain at all, which I was very happy about, as I had imagined it would be much worse.
We went straight back to the hotel and I slept through the entire night. In the morning, I looked out of the hotel window and was very excited and very happy. I could see everything very clearly and was able to read signs. I felt like I had been reborn. It was such a wonderful feeling that it is impossible to describe.
At 11.00 a.m. we had to go back to the clinic for the follow-up examination. The entire team welcomed us very warmly and asked how I was feeling. I was seen immediately without any waiting time, which was excellent. The doctor examined me again and told me my results. I would like to add something here: in Switzerland I was told that because of my astigmatism, the left eye could only be corrected up to 80 per cent. The doctor told me that he had corrected almost everything in the left eye, which made me very happy. Left 0.25, right 0.00. That is a fantastic result, so I no longer need glasses.
At midday we went out to explore Istanbul. Unfortunately, it was snowing, but I had absolutely no problems, as if I had never had anything done to my eyes. For me, it was a wonderful experience and I would do it again and recommend it to everyone. Many thanks to the entire team and to Swisslasik for the excellent organisation.
Kind regards
Maria Rodriguez