For patients in South Africa

LASIK in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

LASIK corrects short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism by making a thin flap in the cornea, reshaping the tissue beneath with a laser and laying the flap back. Recovery is quick, which suits a long-haul trip. This page covers who LASIK suits, how long to stay, and what to arrange for the flight and check-ups in South Africa. For a comparison of all four laser techniques, see the laser eye surgery guide for South Africans.

How LASIK is done

The eye is numbed with anaesthetic drops. The flap is made with IntraLase femtosecond laser technology, so no blade is used; the laser then reshapes the tissue beneath and the flap is laid back. The laser itself is active for under a minute per eye, and you are at the clinic for about two hours in total. You may feel light pressure, and the eyes can feel gritty or watery for a few hours afterwards. More detail is on the LASIK treatment page, and the blade-free flap is explained on IntraLase for South Africans.

Who it suits

• Adults over 18 whose prescription has been stable for at least 12 months
• Corneas thick enough for a flap, confirmed by measurements at the assessment
• Healthy eyes without severe dry eye

Thin corneas, a very high prescription or severe dry eye may point to PRK instead. LASIK does not prevent age-related changes, and most people still need reading glasses from their mid-forties; if that is already your main problem, lens replacement may be discussed. The eye treatment guide for South Africans covers every option. Suitability is confirmed only after measurements in Turkey, so ask before booking what happens to your trip if you are not suitable.

How long to stay, and the flight home

Direct flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir. South Africans need an e-Visa, and Turkey is only one hour ahead of South Africa, so jet lag is minimal. Plan for the assessment on arrival, surgery, and a check the day after. Most LASIK patients can fly the day after surgery, but allowing two to three nights in Turkey gives room if the check suggests waiting. Whether you fly is the surgeon’s decision.

• Keep your prescribed drops in your hand luggage; cabin air on a ten-hour flight is dry
• Wear sunglasses outdoors, especially in the strong South African sun
• Book a return ticket you can change

Back to normal, and check-ups at home

Vision usually improves within hours. Small fluctuations and glare at night can continue for a few weeks while the eyes settle. Desk work is usually possible within one to two days. Avoid eye make-up for one week, swimming and the gym for two weeks, and contact sport for one month.

• Take home a written record of the treatment and your eye measurements
• Book a check with an optometrist or ophthalmologist in South Africa before you travel
• Ask your medical scheme and travel insurer what they cover; elective eye surgery abroad is usually excluded

Our treatment guarantee covers medical complications arising from the treatment, and any revision that becomes clinically necessary, for one year; covered treatment is carried out in İzmir without charge, but flights and accommodation remain your own responsibility. How problems are handled is published on our complaints page, and who treats patients is on clinic facts.

What we will not do

We will not treat you before your corneas have been measured, we will not recommend LASIK if PRK, SMILE or lens replacement suits your eyes better, and we will not clear you to fly before your post-operative check.

Frequently asked questions

When can I fly home to South Africa after LASIK?

Most LASIK patients can fly the day after surgery, following a check. We recommend allowing two to three nights in Turkey, and the surgeon has the final say.

Are both eyes treated on the same day?

Yes. Both eyes are treated in the same session, which takes around 10 to 15 minutes in total.

Does LASIK hurt?

No. Anaesthetic drops numb the eye. You may feel light pressure, and the eyes can feel gritty or watery for a few hours afterwards.

Is LASIK permanent?

The reshaping of the cornea is permanent, but LASIK does not prevent age-related changes, and most people still need reading glasses from their mid-forties.

Will my medical aid cover LASIK in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover refractive laser surgery, and travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad. Ask your scheme and insurer before you book.

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