Making the decision to permanently change your eye color is an exciting and life-altering milestone. Once you have chosen the safest, most advanced method—the FLAAK Pro procedure—and selected the prestigious Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital in Izmir, the next phase of your journey begins: preparation.
Traveling abroad for a medical procedure, especially one as delicate as keratopigmentation, requires thoughtful planning. At Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital, our goal is to ensure that your experience is not only medically flawless but also completely stress-free from the moment you book your flight until you return home. Proper pre-operative preparation plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal healing and achieving the vibrant, natural-looking eye color you desire.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through exactly how to prepare for your FLAAK Pro eye color change journey to Izmir, Turkey.
The Weeks Before Your Trip: Medical and Logistical Steps
Your journey begins long before you arrive on the beautiful Aegean coast. The weeks leading up to your procedure are focused on confirming your medical eligibility and organizing your travel itinerary.
The Initial Online Consultation
The very first step is connecting with our dedicated Patient Relationship Management team. Under the guidance of our experienced coordinators, like Mrs. Derya, you will begin with a comprehensive online consultation. During this phase, you will discuss your medical history, aesthetic goals, and any concerns you might have. We will also provide you with a personalized digital Photoshop simulation so you can visually explore how different pigment shades will complement your natural features.
Obtaining Local Eye Examinations
Because your safety is our ultimate priority, we cannot finalize your surgery without knowing the exact health status of your corneas. Before traveling to Turkey, we highly recommend visiting a local optometrist or ophthalmologist in your home country to obtain two specific tests:
- Corneal Topography: A detailed map of your cornea’s surface curvature to rule out conditions like keratoconus.
- Pachymetry: A measurement of your corneal thickness. Because FLAAK Pro uses a femtosecond laser to create a micro-channel inside the cornea, ensuring you have adequate corneal thickness is an absolute medical necessity. Once you email these results to our team, our specialists will review them and give you the green light for your trip.
Booking Flights and Accommodation in Izmir
Once medically cleared, it is time to book your travel. Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is highly accessible, with direct flights from many major European cities and easy connections via Istanbul. When booking your accommodation, look for hotels in the Alsancak district. Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital is located in the heart of Alsancak, just steps away from the famous Kordon seaside promenade. Staying nearby ensures that your commute on surgery day and for follow-up appointments is brief, comfortable, and highly convenient.
Health and Lifestyle Adjustments Pre-Surgery
As your departure date approaches, there are several important adjustments you must make to your daily routine to prepare your eyes for the FLAAK Pro procedure.
Discontinuing Contact Lenses
If you wear contact lenses—whether prescription or colored—you must stop wearing them before your pre-operative measurements and surgery. Contact lenses temporarily alter the natural shape of your cornea.
- Soft Contact Lenses: Must be removed at least one full week prior to your initial examination at our hospital.
- Hard or Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses: Must be removed at least three to four weeks prior. Switching to your prescription glasses during this time allows your corneas to return to their natural, resting state, ensuring Prof. Dr. Mahmut Kaşkaloğlu can program the femtosecond laser with 100% accuracy.
Skincare, Makeup, and Lash Extensions
In the days leading up to your surgery, keeping the eye area pristine and free of bacteria is critical.
- Eyelash Extensions: If you wear artificial eyelash extensions, they must be completely removed at least a week before the surgery. They harbor dust and bacteria that pose a significant infection risk during a corneal procedure.
- Makeup and Creams: Stop using all eye makeup (mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow) and heavy eye creams at least 48 hours before your surgery day. On the morning of your procedure, your face should be thoroughly washed and entirely free of any cosmetic products, lotions, or perfumes.
Managing Medications and Supplements
Inform our medical team about every medication, vitamin, and herbal supplement you take. You may be advised to stop taking blood thinners, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, or supplements like Omega-3 fish oil and Vitamin E a few days before the procedure, as these can increase the risk of minor bleeding or bruising. Always follow the specific medical advice provided by your coordinator during your pre-trip consultation.
What to Pack for Your Medical Trip to Turkey
Packing smartly will make your post-operative recovery in Izmir much more comfortable.
Essential Medical Documents
Always travel with physical copies of your local eye exams (topography and pachymetry), any relevant medical records, and your prescription for glasses. Keep our hospital’s address, your hotel details, and Mrs. Derya’s WhatsApp contact number easily accessible on your phone.
Clothing and Eye Protection
Comfort is key. Pack loose, comfortable clothing, especially tops that button or zip up the front. After surgery, you will want to avoid pulling tight shirts over your head, which could accidentally bump your sensitive eyes. Most importantly, bring a high-quality pair of polarized, 100% UV-protection sunglasses. Following the FLAAK Pro procedure, your eyes will be highly sensitive to light (photophobia) for a few days. You will need these sunglasses immediately upon leaving the clinic to protect your healing corneas from the bright Aegean sun.
Arriving at Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital
When you finally arrive in Izmir, you can relax knowing that everything is expertly handled.
The Final Pre-Operative Assessment
Before entering the laser suite, you will meet our team in person. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Kaşkaloğlu and his expert staff will conduct a comprehensive, final set of eye exams using our hospital’s state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. This ensures that the data used for your FLAAK Pro procedure is perfectly accurate to the exact micron. We will finalize your pigment color choice, answer any last-minute questions, and ensure you are completely comfortable and confident.
Conclusion
Preparation is the foundation of a successful keratopigmentation experience. By carefully following these pre-operative guidelines—from taking a break from your contact lenses to packing your premium sunglasses—you are setting the stage for a smooth procedure and an effortless recovery. At Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital, we combine the groundbreaking precision of the extraocular FLAAK Pro technique with world-class patient care. When you arrive in Izmir fully prepared, you can simply relax, enjoy the beautiful coastal atmosphere, and look forward to returning home with the stunning, permanent eye color you have always dreamed of.
