For patients in South Africa

Glaucoma treatment in Turkey from South Africa: an honest guide

Glaucoma treatment lowers the pressure inside the eye to protect the optic nerve and slow the loss of sight. Glaucoma is a long-term condition: one trip to Turkey can be part of your care, but it cannot replace regular checks at home.

What treatment does, and what it cannot do

In glaucoma, raised pressure inside the eye can damage the optic nerve, which carries sight to the brain. Treatment targets that pressure rather than just the symptoms. Depending on your type of glaucoma and how advanced it is, the ophthalmologist may recommend eye drops, a laser procedure or surgery that helps fluid drain from the eye.

Be clear about the aim: treatment is meant to slow or stop further loss of sight. Sight that has already been lost to glaucoma usually cannot be restored. More detail is on the glaucoma treatment page.

Who it may suit

• People diagnosed with glaucoma or raised eye pressure
• People noticing changes in their sight, including loss of side (peripheral) vision
• People at higher risk because of family history, age or other eye problems
• People whose eye pressure needs better control to protect their sight

Suitability is confirmed only after a full eye examination in İzmir, including eye pressure and the optic nerve. If you already see an ophthalmologist at home, bring their reports and your current drops. 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

• 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 procedure and the follow-up check
• Medication: carry all your eye drops in your hand luggage, with enough to cover delays

Risks

Possible effects include temporary irritation, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, discomfort, changes in eye pressure and inflammation. Serious complications are uncommon. The ophthalmologist explains your own plan, expected outcome and the monitoring you will need before treatment. Cabin air on a long flight is dry; the ophthalmologist decides when you are fit to fly. In the strong South African sun, good sunglasses are sensible.

Lifelong follow-up at home

Glaucoma does not end with one procedure. Eye pressure has to be checked regularly for the rest of your life, and treatment may need adjusting over time. Before you travel, make sure you have an ophthalmologist in South Africa who will continue your care, and take home:

• A written report of the examination, your pressure readings and what was done
• Your updated list of drops and how to use them
• Clear instructions on when your next pressure check is due

• Ask your medical scheme in writing what, if anything, it will pay towards glaucoma 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 without a full examination, we will not suggest that one trip can replace ongoing glaucoma care, and we will not promise to restore sight that has already been lost. If your condition is better managed entirely at home, the ophthalmologist will say so.

Frequently asked questions

Can glaucoma treatment in Turkey cure my glaucoma?

No. Treatment aims to lower eye pressure and slow or stop further loss of sight. Glaucoma needs lifelong monitoring, and sight already lost usually cannot be restored.

What kind of treatment will I have?

It depends on the type and severity of your glaucoma. Options include eye drops, a laser procedure or surgery to improve fluid drainage. The ophthalmologist decides after a full examination in İzmir.

How long do I need to stay in Turkey?

Most patients can fly home one to three days after treatment, depending on the procedure and the follow-up check. Book a return ticket you can change.

Who will look after my glaucoma when I get home?

You need your own ophthalmologist in South Africa for regular pressure checks. Arrange this before you travel and take home a written report of what was done.

Will my medical aid cover glaucoma 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.