For patients in South Africa

Lens Replacement Surgery in Turkey from South Africa: what to know before you go

Lens replacement surgery removes the eye’s natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). It covers cataract surgery, where a cloudy lens is replaced, and refractive lens exchange with trifocal or multifocal lenses, which aims to reduce dependence on glasses. This page covers suitability, the trip from South Africa, risks and care at home.

Which lens: trifocal, multifocal or cataract surgery

The right option depends on your prescription, age and eye health:

• Trifocal lens replacement – for near, intermediate and far sight. It can correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia, and prevents future cataracts.
• Multifocal lens replacement – for near and far sight, with the same range of corrections.
• Cataract surgery – replaces a cloudy lens with a clear one, improving clarity, colour and contrast. Depending on the lens chosen, it can also reduce the need for glasses.

Read more on the lens replacement surgery page, and on trifocal, multifocal and cataract surgery.

Who it may suit

Lens replacement may suit you if you have age-related changes in near and distance vision, cataracts affecting your sight, or you want to rely less on glasses but are not suitable for laser treatment because of your age, prescription or corneal thickness. If laser may suit you instead, see laser eye surgery for South African patients. Suitability and lens choice are decided only after detailed measurements and an examination on arrival. You can see who treats patients on clinic facts.

How the trip works from South Africa

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, so jet lag is minimal. The usual sequence is:

• Send your prescription and eye complaints beforehand for a provisional plan
• Eye tests, consultation with the ophthalmologist and a detailed examination on arrival
• Surgery, after which most patients return to their accommodation the same day
• Follow-up examinations, then flying home usually one to three days later, subject to the ophthalmologist’s approval

Whether both eyes are treated on the same trip, and how long to leave between them, depends on your assessment. Ask the ophthalmologist before you book, and choose a return ticket you can change.

Recovery, risks and the flight home

Vision is often clearer within hours, but blurriness, glare, halos and light sensitivity are common at first. Over the first weeks avoid swimming, heavy lifting and dusty or dirty environments. Vision stabilises for most patients within one to three months; adapting to trifocal or multifocal lenses takes time, and night halos and glare can continue meanwhile.

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 ten-hour flight dries the eyes, so keep your prescribed drops in your hand luggage. At home, wear good sunglasses in the strong South African sun.

Care, cover and follow-up at home

• Ask for a written record of the surgery, the lens implanted and your measurements to take home
• Book a check-up with an optometrist or ophthalmologist in South Africa for after you return
• Ask your medical scheme what it covers; schemes may pay for medically necessary cataract surgery at home but generally not elective lens exchange or premium lenses, and rarely treatment abroad
• Check your travel insurance – most policies exclude planned treatment abroad

What our treatment guarantee covers is set out on that page, and how complaints are handled is published on our complaints page.

What we will not do

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

Frequently asked questions

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

Most patients can fly home one to three days after surgery, subject to the ophthalmologist’s approval, with eye tests and an examination on arrival before the operation. Whether both eyes are treated on the same trip depends on your assessment, so ask before you book your flights.

What is the difference between trifocal and multifocal lenses?

A multifocal lens is designed for near and distance vision. A trifocal lens adds intermediate vision, such as a computer screen. Which lens suits you is decided only after detailed measurements of your eyes.

What decides the cost of lens replacement surgery?

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

Will I see halos or glare at night?

Glare, halos around lights and light sensitivity are common early on, and adapting to multifocal or trifocal lenses takes time. Vision reaches its final stable result for most patients within one to three months.

Will my medical aid cover lens replacement surgery?

South African medical schemes may cover medically necessary cataract surgery at home, but generally not elective lens replacement or premium lenses, and rarely treatment abroad. Ask your scheme before you decide.

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