For patients in South Africa

Multifocal lens replacement in Turkey from South Africa: what to expect

Multifocal lens replacement removes the eye’s natural lens and replaces it with a multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) designed to give clear sight at near and far distances. The aim is to rely much less on glasses for everyday life.

How it works

Multifocal lens replacement deals with the ageing natural lens rather than compensating for it: the lens is replaced with an artificial one that focuses light at more than one distance. The same operation can correct a refractive error, and because the natural lens is gone, it also prevents a future cataract.

A multifocal lens covers near and far sight. A trifocal lens adds intermediate distance, such as a computer screen. Which one suits you depends on your eyes and how you use them, and is decided only after detailed measurements. See the multifocal lens replacement page and our lens replacement surgery for South African patients page for the full range.

Who it may suit

• People with age-related changes who struggle with both near and distance sight
• People who want to reduce their dependence on glasses
• People not suited to laser treatment because of age, prescription or corneal thickness; if laser may suit you instead, see laser eye surgery for South African patients
• People in good general health with realistic expectations

A board-certified ophthalmologist confirms suitability after a comprehensive examination 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.

How the trip works from South Africa

• Send your prescription and describe your sight problems for a provisional plan
• On arrival: eye tests, consultation and a detailed examination
• Surgery, after which most patients return to their accommodation the same day
• 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 booking whether both eyes will be treated on this trip.

Adapting, risks and the flight home

Sight often improves within the first few days and keeps settling over the following weeks; for most patients it reaches its final result within one to three months. Halos around lights and glare, especially at night, are common while your brain adapts to the new lens, and some people still use glasses for certain tasks. Avoid swimming, heavy lifting and dusty places in the first weeks.

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 is dry on a long flight, so keep your drops in your hand luggage. Back home, wear good sunglasses in the strong South African sun.

Care and cover at home

• Ask for a written record of the lens implanted and your measurements
• Book a check-up with an optometrist or ophthalmologist at home after you return
• Ask your medical scheme in writing what, if anything, it will pay towards lens replacement 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 you will never need glasses again, and we will not clear you to fly before the ophthalmologist is satisfied with your follow-up check.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between multifocal and trifocal lenses?

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

How long do I need to stay in Turkey?

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

Will I see halos at night?

Halos and glare around lights are common early on while you adapt to the new lens. For most patients sight reaches its final result within one to three months.

Can I still get a cataract after multifocal lens replacement?

Not in the natural lens, because it has been replaced. Sometimes the thin membrane behind the new lens becomes cloudy months or years later; an eye specialist at home can check for this.

Will my medical aid cover multifocal lens replacement?

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