For patients in South Africa

Dry eye treatment in Turkey from South Africa: is it worth the trip?

Dry eye treatment aims to relieve dry, gritty, burning or irritated eyes by improving the quality of the tear film that keeps the surface of the eye healthy. Artificial tears ease symptoms for a while; the treatments we arrange try to deal with the cause.

What treatment aims to do

Dry eye is not one condition. Poor tear quality, inflammation and blocked meibomian glands (the oil glands along the eyelid edge) can all leave the eyes dry, red or watery, with sight that blurs and clears as you blink. Treatment is chosen after the ophthalmologist has found the main cause, and may aim to reduce inflammation, unblock the meibomian glands, improve natural tear production and restore a stable tear film.

More is on the dry eye treatments page. For many people dry eye is a long-term condition, so treatment is often about longer-lasting relief and control rather than a permanent cure.

Who it may suit

• People with persistent dry, irritated, burning or gritty eyes
• People whose eyes water because the tears are of poor quality
• People whose sight blurs or fluctuates and improves after blinking
• People who spend long hours at screens or in air-conditioned rooms
• People whose symptoms do not improve with artificial tears alone

Suitability is confirmed only after an examination of your tear film, eyelids and overall eye health by a board-certified ophthalmologist in İzmir. Who treats patients is on our clinic facts page, and other eye options are compared in our eye treatment guide for South African patients.

Is it worth the trip from South Africa?

Be honest with yourself here. If you have not yet seen an optometrist or ophthalmologist at home about your symptoms, start there. Dry eye treatment abroad makes most sense if you have already tried the usual measures and want a specialist assessment, or if you are already travelling for another eye treatment, such as laser eye surgery for South African patients or lens surgery, where dry eye can be part of the picture.

• 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
• How long to stay: most patients fly home one to three days after treatment, depending on the therapy and how you recover
• Dry cabin air: a ten-hour flight dries the eyes; keep your drops in your hand luggage and use them on board

Risks and recovery

Possible effects include temporary irritation, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity or mild discomfort. Serious complications are rare. Many people feel more comfortable within the first few days, with further relief over the following weeks as the eye surface recovers. Back home, wind, dust and strong sun can aggravate dry eyes, so wraparound sunglasses are sensible in the South African climate.

Care and cover at home

• Ask for a written summary of the cause found, the treatment given and what to keep doing
• Arrange follow-up with an optometrist or ophthalmologist at home, in case symptoms return
• Ask your medical scheme in writing what, if anything, it will pay towards dry eye treatment 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 treat you before the cause of your dry eye has been examined, we will not promise a permanent cure, and we will not suggest the trip if your symptoms could reasonably be managed at home first.

Frequently asked questions

Will dry eye treatment cure my dry eyes?

It aims to give longer-lasting relief by treating the cause, such as inflammation or blocked eyelid glands. For many people dry eye is a long-term condition, so ongoing care at home may still be needed.

How long do I need to stay in Turkey?

Most patients can fly home one to three days after treatment, depending on the therapy and how they recover. Book a return ticket you can change.

Will the long flight make my eyes worse?

Cabin air is dry, so your eyes may feel drier on the flight. Keep your prescribed drops in your hand luggage, use them on board, and ask the ophthalmologist for advice before you fly.

When will I notice a difference?

Many patients notice better comfort within the first few days, with further improvement over the following weeks as the tear film and eye surface recover.

Will my medical aid cover dry eye treatment abroad?

Do not assume it will. Ask your medical scheme in writing what it would pay towards treatment 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.