For patients in South Africa

Cataract surgery in Turkey from South Africa: what to know before you go

Cataract surgery removes the eye’s cloudy natural lens and puts a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL) in its place, so that light can focus properly on the retina again. This page covers lens choice, how long to stay in İzmir and what to arrange at home.

What the operation does

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which commonly develops with age and makes sight blurred, dim or glary. Glasses cannot clear a cloudy lens; surgery treats the cause.

Premium lenses can also correct a refractive error at the same time, so some patients rely less on glasses afterwards. Which lens suits you is decided only after detailed measurements of your eyes. The options are explained on the cataract surgery page, and the wider choice of lenses on our lens replacement surgery for South African patients page.

Who it may suit

• People whose cataracts are affecting the quality of their sight
• People who would also like to reduce their dependence on glasses, where a suitable lens allows it
• People in good general health with realistic expectations of the result

Suitability is confirmed only after a comprehensive eye examination in İzmir by a board-certified ophthalmologist. Who treats patients is set out on our clinic facts page, and other eye options are compared in our eye treatment guide for South African patients.

How the trip works from South Africa

• Send your current prescription and describe your symptoms for a provisional plan
• On arrival: eye tests, a consultation with the ophthalmologist and a detailed examination
• Surgery, after which most patients return to their accommodation the same day and start their prescribed drops
• Follow-up examinations, then flying home usually one to three days later, if the ophthalmologist agrees

• Flights: around ten hours direct from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Istanbul, then a short hop to İzmir
• Visa: South Africans apply online for an e-Visa before travelling
• Time difference: İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa
• Flying home: the ophthalmologist decides when you are fit to fly, so book a return ticket you can change

Ask before you book whether both eyes will be treated on this trip, and how long would be left between them.

Recovery, risks and the flight home

Sight is often clearer within hours or days, with mild blurring, glare, halos and light sensitivity common at first. Over the first weeks avoid swimming, heavy lifting and dusty or dirty environments. For most patients sight settles into its final result within one to three months.

Risks include temporary blurred vision, glare, halos, dry eyes and light sensitivity, and more rarely infection, inflammation, retinal detachment, raised eye pressure or swelling inside the eye. Cabin air on a long flight is dry, so keep your drops in your hand luggage; the ophthalmologist decides when you can fly. Back home, wear good sunglasses in the strong South African sun.

Care and cover at home

• Ask for a written record of the operation, the lens implanted and your measurements
• Book a check-up with an optometrist or ophthalmologist in South Africa for after you return
• Ask your medical scheme in writing what, if anything, it will pay towards cataract surgery abroad
• Check your travel insurance: standard policies usually exclude planned treatment abroad

For one year, our treatment guarantee covers complications and clinically necessary further treatment in İzmir at no charge for that treatment; flights and accommodation are your own cost. See also our complaints process.

What we will not do

We will not choose your lens before your eyes have been measured, we will not promise that you will never need glasses, and we will not clear you to fly before the ophthalmologist is happy with your follow-up examination.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I need to stay in Turkey for cataract surgery?

Most patients can fly home one to three days after surgery, if the ophthalmologist agrees at the follow-up check. Allow for eye tests and an examination on arrival before the operation, and book a return ticket you can change.

Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?

It depends on the lens. Some premium lenses can correct a refractive error and reduce your need for glasses, but no one can promise you will never need them. The lens is chosen only after your eyes have been measured.

Are both eyes treated on the same trip?

That depends on your assessment. Ask the ophthalmologist before you book flights whether both eyes will be treated on this trip and how long would be left between them.

What decides the cost of cataract surgery?

Whether one or both eyes are treated, the type of lens, and what the package includes, such as accommodation and transfers. A firm quote is only possible after your eye assessment.

Will my medical aid cover cataract surgery in Turkey?

Do not assume it will. Ask your medical scheme in writing what it would pay towards cataract surgery abroad, and check your travel insurance, which usually excludes planned treatment abroad.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.