Summer challenges associated with corrective glasses and contact lenses frequently drive interest in refractive laser eye surgery. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Bostancı, Ophthalmology Specialist at Dünyagöz Suadiye Hospital, stated that the season itself is not a barrier to surgery. The critical factors are UV protection in the initial weeks, avoiding infection risks associated with seawater and swimming pools, and adhering strictly to prescribed eye drop regimens.
Comprehensive Examination and Customized Treatment Selection
Emphasizing that surgical methods must match corneal anatomy and individual needs, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Bostancı outlined the medical evaluation framework:
Clinical Assessment: Candidacy is not determined by refractive error alone; corneal thickness, structural topography, recent refractive stability, dry eye parameters, age, and co-existing ocular conditions are evaluated in detail.
Technique Variety: Depending on diagnostic results, surgical modalities such as SMILE PRO, LASIK, PRK, or alternative methods may be selected.
SMILE PRO Characteristics: Utilizing a minimally invasive keyhole incision without corneal flap creation, SMILE PRO treats myopia and astigmatism, supporting a rapid return to daily routines in eligible patients.
Synchronizing Holiday Plans with Medical Recommendations
Noting that visual stabilization and ocular surface recovery timelines vary between individuals, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bostancı highlighted post-operative care:
Prescribed medications and post-operative follow-up visits must not be neglected.
Direct water contact, rubbing of the eyes, and dusty environments must be avoided during the initial healing period.
Resuming activities such as swimming in pools or the sea, intense sun exposure, and sports should strictly follow the physician's personalized timeline rather than being undertaken immediately before a trip.
Warning Against Swimming with Contact Lenses
Pointing out that many laser surgery candidates are active contact lens wearers, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bostancı warned that swimming with contact lenses facilitates microbial transport to the ocular surface, posing severe infection hazards. Contact lenses should never come into contact with water.
About Dünyagöz Hospitals Group
Established in 1996, Dünyagöz provides eye health services across 32 clinical locations in Turkey and abroad. Operating with a medical team of 800 (including 350 faculty members and specialists) and over 3,500 employees, Dünyagöz runs 21 branches across 12 provinces in Turkey, alongside 11 international centers across Germany, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, and Kazakhstan, treating an average of 120,000 international patients annually.
