It’s been 2.5 years since my eye surgery – it’s hard to believe how quickly time flies! Before that, I had to wear glasses or contact lenses every day. My poor eyesight was discovered when I started school and rapidly deteriorated until puberty. I ended up with astigmatism at about -10 diopters. I couldn’t see anything without visual aids. Although glasses and contact lenses were able to restore my vision, I felt severely restricted in everyday life. Dry eyes, the weight of the glasses, the constant care of the lenses – all of this wore me down at some point.
Of course, I immediately thought of laser eye surgery. But then the shock: With my values, laser eye surgery was not possible. What now? Giving up was not an option for me. Actually there is an alternative: Lens implants. In this article I talk about my experiences and compare both methods – Laser eye surgery or lens implants.
3 methods of laser eye surgery – forever without glasses?
That’s why laser eye surgery was not possible for me
Why laser eye surgery was not possible for me
Laser is not an option for all myopias. As a rule:
- Myopia can be a maximum of –10 diopters
- Farsightedness max. +4 diopters
- Astigmatism max. 6 diopters
I sought advice from doctors at the time and everyone advised me against lasering. Which was of course a shame, because otherwise it would have been a very good choice. Laser eye surgery works super quickly, overnight and effectively. In addition, the health insurance company does not cover the costs because it is considered a cosmetic procedure. The price of laser eye surgery in Germany is usually between 2,000 and 4,000 euros for both eyes.
It doesn’t have to be that expensive if you decide, for example, to have laser eye surgery in Turkey. They are professionals at this and carry out such operations all the time. You can find out more here: Laser eye surgery costs Türkiye. I have already gone on a health trip to Türkiye myself, tried Botox and found out about all possible treatments on site.
The alternative: lens implants (phakic IOL)
My ophthalmologist recommended one phakic lens implant (IOL). This means that an additional lens is inserted into the eye without removing your own lens. This is important to distinguish from the Lens extractionwhich is more likely to be used for cataracts or in older people.
Extensive preliminary examinations had to be carried out before the operation. Among other things:
- Measurement of corneal thickness
- Control of intraocular pressure
- Rule out diseases such as keratoconus
- Pupil measurement
- Calculating the correct lens
That was a bit of a marathon. Particularly annoying: I wasn’t allowed to wear contact lenses for a week so that the values wouldn’t be distorted.
In the end I got the green light: my eyes were suitable for the implants.
This is how the operation went
The operation took place shortly before Christmas 2022 – a strange Christmas present to myself. The process was surprisingly unspectacular:
- Day 1: First eye operated on, 15 minutes, completely painless. Local anesthesia was sufficient.
- Overnight: Bandage + eye patch, no rubbing, no straining.
- Day 2: Control – and I could see clearly!
- A week later: Second eye, same process.
Cost: approx. 5,500 euros for both eyes. It’s a lot of money, but for me it’s one of the best investments of my life.
The lenses can be removed at any time because nothing has been irreversibly changed in the eye. That makes me feel safe.
My everyday life after the operation
The morning after the operation I was amazed: I woke up and saw everything clearly – without reaching for my glasses. Today, 1.5 years later, I have stable values. I go for check-ups every six months, but now once a year is enough. My eyes are no longer so dry, the constant irritation from contact lenses is gone, and I feel much freer.
Of course it is not a “cure”. I still have visual aids – just in my eyes. If I have presbyopia or cataracts, I would have to upgrade again later. But right now I couldn’t be happier.
Risks & Side Effects
No procedure is without risk. There are also possible side effects with laser eye surgery or lens implants:
- Glare sensitivity
- Halos (light halos around light sources)
- Dry eyes
- Infections (rare but possible)
I personally had no complications. It is important to realize beforehand that this is an operation on an extremely sensitive organ. Good doctors, detailed advice and a reputable clinic are mandatory.
Laser eye surgery or lens implants – the comparison
| criterion | Laser eye surgery | Lens implants (phakic IOL) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 2,000–4,000 € (D) / from 1,500 € (TR) | approx. 5,000-6,000 € |
| fitness | Up to -10 diopters, corneal thickness is important | Also possible with high diopters |
| Risks | Dry eyes, follow-up corrections | Surgical risks, possibly sensitivity to glare |
| Reversibility | Not reversible | Reversible, lenses can be removed |
| recreation | 1-2 days | 1-2 weeks adjustment |
| Long term experience | Very well researched | Less common but effective |
Frequently asked questions on the topic
1. Does the health insurance company cover costs?
No, neither with laser nor with implants. Private insurance companies can make exceptions.
2. Can you still have laser eye surgery after lens implants?
Yes, if a small residual correction is necessary later, that is possible.
3. At what age does the operation make sense?
Laser eye surgery from around 20 if the values are stable. Lens implants usually from 25+, depending on the case.
4. Do the procedures hurt?
No. Both are painless with local anesthesia. There may be slight feelings of pressure afterwards.
My conclusion: Lens implants changed my life
I never thought I would be able to live without glasses or contact lenses. Laser eye surgery was not possible for me, but the lens implants gave me a new quality of life. I see clearly, my eyes are more relaxed, and I finally feel independent.
Whether you choose laser eye surgery or lens implants depends largely on your eye values, your budget and your lifestyle. The important thing is to get advice from several doctors, take your time to make the decision and be aware that both procedures involve risks.
For me the decision was absolutely right. And when I look back, I ask myself: Why didn’t I do this before?
