Lasik - Laser Eye Surgery in Turkey

Like all medical operations, laser eye operations have some level of risk.
Very rarely: Undergoing the surgery again due to over or under-correction. Need to wear contact lenses or glasses but at much lower levels than before.

Very unusually: corneal infection, problems with the cornea’s shape, making it impossible to wear contact lenses, decrease in contrast sensitivity, dry eyes, glare or haloes, light sensitivity, driving problems at night, reduced vision or permanent vision loss, scratchiness.

No, the operation of both eyes will be done one after the other on the same day.

During the operation no. After the operation:

• ILasik: A slight stinging and burning and lachrymation may be experienced for about 6 hours after the operation.
• PRK: Patient may feel pain for 2 to 3 days after the operation as the eye surface is stripped.

In order to ensure patients to suffer less, contact lenses may be applied in the eyes as protection.

No. Since laser operations are performed on the cornea, which is a veinless tissue of the eye, no bleeding occurs.

After Global Medical Care online consultation, your doctor will tell you whether you are suitable and if yes, to what kind of operations. You are free to decide which operation you want considering your budget and needs.

This depends on the thickness of your cornea. For a natural result, after the operation, our hospitals aim for 250 micron of cornea thickness. A cornea with an average thickness can be corrected a couple of times.

Diabetes and hypertension, if controlled, may not pose any significant problems for these procedures. A detailed check-up will tell you more.

All of these names are either different names created for marketing or old technologies where blades are being used to open a flap. Nowadays there are newer technologies that cost the same. As Global Medical Care, we promise to eliminate all marketing bullshit and bring you the newest technology, we do not recommend any other techniques.

Best candidates are:

• Between 18-40
• Stable eye numbers for at least 1 year.
• Not pregnant, not breastfeeding
• Free from other systemic diseases such as rheumatism, diabetes, allergy sufferers (in some cases we can define a specific procedure per individual bases.)

Yes, this is possible. Laser operation maybe neither the cause nor a drawback for, any other eye treatment you may have in the future.

Yes. Laser operations can correct astigmatism.

Eye-dryness may be experienced for a certain period of time after any laser treatment. However, eye-dryness is controlled by the use of artificial tears. Eventually, the need for artificial tears will disappear gradually.

You will get a detailed customized list from your surgeon about what to do and what not to do before the operation. Here is general guidance that our surgeons share with their patients:

• You should inform your surgeon about your routine medication and health history
• If you are having surgery on only one eye, you can bring your contact lens or spectacle for the non-operative eye. If you bring your spectacle, you can remove the lens of the operative eye
• On the day of your surgery you should not wear facial piercings, necklaces, makeup (especially around the eyes), facial lotions or cream, perfume, cologne or aftershave

It will not move, as our doctors will fix it after applying an anesthetic eye drop. As well our laser machines are equipped with an eye detection system, which will automatically adjust the procedure for small movements or stop the procedure if your body moves.

Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions tailored to your situation. Please do not act before you get your customized list. But general guidelines that our surgeons are sharing with their patients is as follows:

• There is no need for eye closure after the operation
• You will be given a prescription for pain medication as well as antibiotics by your doctor. Please follow the medication plan that your doctor sets for you
• It’s normal to feel a mild sense of stinging, burning, blurred vision and swelling on eyelids after operation
• You should not drive after surgery
• Please be sure that you are not staying in a dusty environment
• You should not apply to make up at least 10 days after your laser eye treatment
• You should not rub your eye, wash your face and take a bath in first 24 hours of the operation
• You can swim 20 days after your laser eye surgery.
• There is no restriction on using cosmetic contact lenses after your laser treatment. But you must notice that it would be better to use lenses three months after your treatment and under doctor supervision
• You should start using your eye drops after the operation and you should continue this action intermittently until you go to bed
• Drop your liquids into the upper eye by pulling your upper eyelids upwards

After 24 hours,  you will open your eye to a glasses-free life (PRK: it may take 2-3 weeks). You may carry out your normal daily activities only 24 hours after your laser operation (i.e. traveling, jogging, cycling). It is recommended:

• to use prescribed eye-drops given by the physician.
• not take a bath during the first 24 hours after the laser operation.
• to use sun-glasses to avoid from the sunbeams which may be disturbing in the first day.
• not to swim either in a pool or sea for around 20 days in order to be protected from any potential infection.
• to use your color contact lenses for cosmetic purposes one month after if you desire to do so.
• to go to the regular control examinations after the laser operation.

Although it may vary from patient to patient, here’s a typical daily schedule for eye laser operations:
First Day:

• You arrive at the airport and your driver will wait for you by the exit of the customs zone with a sign which has your name on it.
• He will drive you to the hospital and hand you to your patient representative who is fluent in your language.
• After the initial registration procedure you will leave your luggage at your room and meet your doctor in person.
• Your eye surgeon will explain to you the procedure in detail and examine you before he advises on the application that he is going to make on your eyes. You will have an opportunity to discuss your questions about laser eye operation and expectations from your surgery.
• Then you will have your tests and checks to confirm your suitability for surgery.
• Your procedure will be performed under local anesthesia.
• Your doctor will do an initial check-up after the procedure.
• And you will start resting in your room in the hospital.

Second Day:

• Your doctor will perform a second check-up concerning the condition of your eyes. This will be your last check-up.
• You will be advised on your medication and provided instructions on eye-drop routine.
• You should avoid heavy activities but shopping or attending city tour might be a good option for you in order to visit different places in the city.
• After your rest tonight in your hospital room you can travel whenever you want.

If you will have a PRK operation then your stay will be 4 days. You will be free on the second day after your doctor sees you and the third day, whereas you need to see your doctor again on the fourth day before you leave.

No.

98% of our customers no longer wear glasses after the operation, as their values are between +/- 0.5D. Otherwise, a second eye correction operation is offered, free of charge. It is very rare that patients still have to wear contact lenses or glasses after the operation, but with a much-reduced correction. As with all people, you may need to wear reading glasses from the age of 40.

No, but some implants require more specific after-surgery instruction. Your eye surgeon will discuss these details with you.
Generally speaking, you should expect at least a few of the following temporary side effects; irritation and discomfort, redness, blurred vision, rings or halo vision, light sensitivity.

Not much time. Most patients leave with no eye patch, no stitches, and very little sign of having had surgery. That day, you may have some blurry vision but it will improve each day.

No. Your eye surgeon will give you numbing medications before and during the surgery. Occasionally, patients may feel pressure during the actual lens implantation but it is typically mild, lasting only for a few seconds.

Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions tailored to your situation. Please wait for these instructions to act, as yours may be different. But general guidelines that our surgeons are sharing with their patients are as follows:

• There is no need for eye closure after the operation.
• You will be given a prescription for pain medication by your doctor. Please follow the medication plan that your doctor sets for you.
• It’s normal to feel a mild sense of stinging in your eye in the first week. If you notice any unpleasant situation as sore, bleeding and blurred vision please contact your doctor
• You should avoid your eye contact of any soap or shampoo
• You should not rub and pressurize your eye.
• You should also ask your doctor about the risks and time period of sports like swimming, diving and all other water sports
• You should avoid hard body activities. Do not lift heavy objects.
• You should start using your eye drops until you sleep at night. You should drop your eye liquids in equal time intervals
• You should wait a minimum 5 minutes for every different eye drop
• You should use your eye drops into your lower eyelid by pulling it downwards

You will get a detailed customized list from your surgeon on what to do and what not to do before the operation. Please wait for these instructions to act, as yours may be different. Here is general guidance that our surgeons generally share with their patients:

• You should inform your surgeon about your routine medication and medical history
• On the day of your surgery you should not wear facial piercings, necklaces, makeup (especially around the eyes), facial lotions or cream

Although it may vary from patient to patient, here’s a typical daily schedule for IOL operations:
First Visit :

• You arrive to airport and your driver will wait for you at the exit of custom zone with a tag with your name.
  
• He will drive you to hospital and hand you to your patient representative who is fluent in your language.
• After the initial registration procedure you will meet your doctor in person.
• Your eye surgeon will explain you the procedure in detail and examine you before he advises on the application that he is going to make on your eyes. You will have an opportunity to discuss your questions about laser eye operation and expectations from your surgery.
• You will have your tests and checks to confirm your suitability for surgery and your lenses will be ordered for your exact diopter values.
• You are free as of this moment till your lenses will be produced. This may take few days.
• You will rest in your room.

Second Visit – First Day:

• You will have your last checks to prepare you to surgery for one eye.
• You will have your surgery and the operated eye will be closed.
• You will rest in your room.

Second Visit – 2nd Day 

• Your doctor will perform post operation check and open your eyes.
• You will be advised on your medication and provided instructions.
• You should avoid heavy activities but shopping or attending city tour might be a good option for you in order to visit different places at the city.

Second Visit – 3rd and 4th Day

• You are advised to continue resting and avoiding heavy activities but may take a walk or go out for dinner.
• Shopping or attending a cultural tour might be a good option for you in order to visit different places at the city.

Second Visit – 5th day

• This is the day where your second eye will be operated.
  
• You will meet your doctor in person, have your last checks to prepare you to surgery for the other eye.
• You will have your surgery and the operated eye will be closed.
• You will rest in your room.

Second Visit – 6th Day 

• Your doctor will perform post operation check and open your eyes.
• You will be advised on your medication and provided instructions.
• You should avoid heavy activities but as of now you may leave the hospital and travel back home.

Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions tailored to your situation. Please wait for these instructions to act, as yours may be different. But general guidelines our surgeons share, with their patients, is as follows:<

• You will be given a prescription for pain medication by your doctor. Please follow the medication plan that your doctor sets for you.
• It’s normal to feel a mild sense of stinging in your eye in the first week. If you notice any unpleasant situation as sore, bleeding and blurred vision please contact your doctor
• You should avoid your eye contact of any soap or shampoo
• You should not rub and pressurize your eye.
• You should also ask your doctor about the risks and time period of sports like swimming, diving and all other water sports
• You should avoid hard body activities after the cataract-removal surgery. Do not lift heavy objects
• You should start using your eye drops until you sleep at night. You should drop your eye liquids in equal time intervals
• You should wait a minimum 5 minutes for every different eye drop
• You should use your eye drops into your lower eyelid by pulling it downwards

You will get a detailed customized list from your surgeon on what to do and what not to do before the operation. Please wait for these instructions to act, as yours may be different. Here is general guidance that our surgeons share with their patients:

• You should inform your surgeon about your routine medication and medical history
• On the day of your surgery you should not wear facial piercings, necklaces, makeup (especially around the eyes), facial lotions or cream

Although it may vary from patient to patient, here’s a typical daily schedule for cataract operations:
1st Day:

• You arrive to the airport and your driver will wait for you at the exit of custom zone with a tag with your name.
• He will drive you to hospital and hand you to your patient representative who is fluent in your language.
• After the initial registration procedure you will leave your luggage to your room and meet your doctor in person.
• Your eye surgeon will explain you the procedure in detail and examine you before he advises on the application that he is going to make on your eyes. You will have an opportunity to discuss your questions about laser eye operation and expectations from your surgery.
• You will have your tests and checks to confirm your suitability for surgery and your lenses will be ordered for your exact diopter values.
• You are free as of this moment till your lenses will be produced. This may take from 2 days till 2 months based on the lens you will use.

3rd Day:

• When your lenses are ready, you will again meet your doctor in person.
• You will have your last checks to prepare you to surgery for one eye.
• You will have your surgery and the operated eye will be closed.
• You will rest in your room in the hospital or in the hotel.

4th Day

• Your doctor will perform post operation check and open your eyes.
• You will be advised on your medication and provided instructions.
• You should avoid heavy activities but shopping or attending city tour might be a good option for you in order to visit different places at the city.

5th Day

• You are advised to continue resting and avoiding heavy activities but may take a walk or go out for dinner.
• Shopping or attending a cultural tour might be a good option for you in order to visit different places at the city.

6th day

• This is the day where your second eye will be operated.
• You will meet your doctor in person, have your last checks to prepare you to surgery for the other eye.
• You will have your surgery and the operated eye will be closed.
• You will rest in your room in the hospital.

7th Day 

• Your doctor will perform post operation check and open your eyes.
• You will be advised on your medication and provided instructions.
• You should avoid heavy activities but as of now you may leave the hospital and travel back home.

No, that won’t be necessary. In the past, when intraocular lenses were not yet developed, thick glasses had to be used. Nowadays, since we place a lens in the eye, the use of thick lenses is no longer necessary.

That would be unusual. Most patients are surprised when we tell them “Your surgery is over!” You are typically very relaxed from the sedation used and may even doze during the operation.

Modern cataract surgery rarely causes any bleeding. Topical anesthesia removes the risk of bleeding behind the eye as well.