Treatments
A general eye examination is a comprehensive check in which visual acuity, eye pressure, the retina and the eye muscles are assessed in a single session. Repeated regularly, even without complaints, it allows silently progressing eye diseases to be noticed early.
Eye Examination Duration
15-30 Minutes
Eye examination is a medical check-up that is recommended to be performed at regular intervals and is important for maintaining eye health and diagnosing various vision problems at an early stage. During this examination, the retina and general eye health, especially eye pressure, are evaluated in detail. During the eye examination, various tests are used to measure vision and examine the different functions of the eye. These examinations carried out by the ophthalmologist cover a wide range of aspects, from visual acuity and colour perception to the function of the eye muscles and eye pressure. In this way, symptoms of any visual impairment or eye disease can be detected early and necessary interventions can be made in a timely manner. 
Diagnosis of refractive errors aims to identify conditions in which the eye cannot focus light properly. Refractive errors can lead to problems such as poor near or far vision, headaches and eye fatigue. Fortunately, these defects can be detected with a simple eye examination and then corrected by various methods such as glasses, contact lenses or laser surgery. In this way, the quality of life of patients improves and it is possible to have a clearer vision.
The colour blindness test is an assessment method designed to detect deficiencies or impairments in the ability to perceive colour. This disorder, which is often detected in childhood, is manifested by difficulty in perceiving certain colours or tones. Colour blindness, which can affect daily life in many ways, can be easily diagnosed with various tests and can be managed with different strategies according to the individual's condition.
An eye examination is not a single measurement but a series of tests that build on one another. Each looks at a different layer of the eye, and the doctor reads them together. Below is what is done, in order, and why each step is needed.
The examination starts by reading letters from a chart. This is the only measurement that shows how the eye is performing right now. Your prescription may have changed, but reduced vision can just as easily come from the cornea or the retina. When acuity is down, the remaining tests say where to look.
Your myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism are measured automatically first. That reading is not the prescription itself but the starting point: the doctor works from it towards the value at which you see most clearly. The prescription of the glasses you already wear is read on a separate device, so it is clear whether anything has actually changed.
Raised eye pressure is the one finding that can quietly damage the optic nerve over years while causing no symptoms at all. Caught early, glaucoma can be halted; caught late, the vision that has gone does not come back. That is why pressure is measured even when there is no complaint. A non-contact tonometer does this with a short puff of air, without touching the eye and without drops.
The doctor examines the front half of the eye under magnification: the eyelids, the cornea, the anterior chamber and the lens. Cataract, dry eye, corneal clouding and inflammation are seen here.
The surface of the cornea is mapped: its curvature, its thickness and how regular it is. This answers two questions at once. If the astigmatism is irregular, the map shows that glasses will not correct it. And if laser treatment is being considered, the map shows whether the cornea allows it. A progressive thinning such as keratoconus also shows up here first, before the patient notices anything.
How long the tear film holds and whether the oil glands in the eyelid are working are both measured. Burning, stinging and vision that fluctuates through the day often come from this rather than from a change in prescription. It matters before laser surgery too: a dry eye needs treating first.
Where it is needed, drops widen the pupil so the back half of the eye, the retina and the optic nerve, can be assessed. Retinal tears, macular disease and the marks diabetes leaves in the eye are found at this stage. For a few hours afterwards near vision is blurred and the eye is sensitive to light, so you should not drive during that time.
The layers of the retina are imaged as cross sections at micron level. Fluid, thinning and swelling that cannot be seen by looking at the back of the eye appear here. In macular disease and in diabetic changes, repeating the same scan is also how it is judged whether treatment is working.
A colour photograph is taken of the retina, the macula and the optic nerve. On its own it may say little; its value is in comparison. Put side by side with the photograph taken a year later, any change is beyond argument.
Peripheral vision can be lost while central vision stays sharp, and people often do not notice for a long time. The visual field test maps where the loss is. It is the cornerstone of diagnosing and following glaucoma, because it shows what the damage to the optic nerve actually costs in function.
The cells in the innermost layer of the cornea keep it clear, and they do not regenerate. Their number says in advance how much surgery an eye can tolerate. In eyes being considered for cataract or lens surgery, this measurement shows the risk of corneal clouding afterwards before anything is done.
A child may not complain, because they have no experience of normal vision to compare with. A handheld screener measures both eyes from a metre away in seconds: a difference in prescription between the eyes, signs of squint and the risk of a lazy eye are picked up this way. It can be used from six months of age.
Not all of these tests are done at every examination. Your symptoms, your age and the first findings decide which measurements are added.
Topcon
The device that automatically measures the eye's refractive power and corneal curvature. The first reading of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism is taken here, and the prescription refined during the examination builds on it.
Why we chose this device
This measurement is where the examination starts. Its rotary prism method stays consistent on irregular corneas and small pupils, so the doctor fine-tunes from a reliable starting point.
Topcon
A computerised lensmeter that reads the prescription of the glasses a patient already wears. It measures the power, the astigmatic axis and UV protection, and recognises multifocal lenses as well.
Why we chose this device
Patients rarely know what their old prescription was. Measuring the lens itself shows how much the eye has changed over time, and the new prescription is written on top of that difference.
Canon
A tonometer that measures eye pressure without contact. Nothing touches the eye but a brief puff of air, no drops are needed, and the device warns when the pressure is high.
Why we chose this device
Eye pressure is the one modifiable factor in glaucoma, so it has to be measured at every visit. Contactless measurement needs no anaesthetic drops, so the examination starts without them and the reading takes seconds.
MediWorks
A handheld vision screener. From one metre away it measures both eyes at once in seconds, screening for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, a difference in power between the eyes and signs of squint. It can be used from six months of age to adulthood.
Why we chose this device
A small child cannot sit still at a conventional instrument, yet a lazy eye is treatable when caught early and permanent when it is not. This device makes the measurement possible on a parent's lap, almost as a game.
OCULUS
Scans the front and back surface of the cornea with a rotating Scheimpflug camera and builds a three-dimensional map of it. Corneal thickness, curvature and anterior chamber measurements all come from a single scan; suitability for laser treatment, lens calculation and keratoconus follow-up rest on this map.
Why we chose this device
This is the measurement that identifies an eye unsuited to laser treatment. Devices that look only at the front surface can miss early keratoconus; because the Pentacam also measures the back surface and the thickness profile, the risk shows up before anything is done to the eye. Being able to tell a patient no matters as much as saying yes.
Topcon
A topographer that maps the front surface of the cornea. Alongside the curvature map it also measures the tear film, the meibomian glands in the eyelid and how the pupil changes in light.
Why we chose this device
Before laser treatment, dry eye and pupil size matter as much as the shape of the cornea. This device measures all three in one sitting, so the suitability assessment is not made on incomplete data.
Topcon
A specular microscope that counts the endothelial cells in the innermost layer of the cornea. These cells keep the cornea clear and do not regenerate; their number tells in advance how much strain surgery will place on the cornea.
Why we chose this device
In an eye with a low endothelial count, cataract surgery can leave the cornea hazy. Taking this measurement lets us adapt the surgical technique and energy settings to the individual patient.
Topcon
A swept-source OCT that shows the layers of the retina as micron-level sections. Its 1,050 nm wavelength reaches the deepest layers of the eye, down to the choroid, and the same capture also yields a colour fundus photograph. Macular disease, glaucoma and diabetic changes are followed on these sections.
Why we chose this device
The longer wavelength still reaches the retina when a cataract or bleeding inside the eye clouds the view. As the fundus photograph comes from the same capture, the patient does not sit at two separate machines.
Heidelberg Engineering
An imaging platform that combines a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope with OCT in one device. It captures both the surface view of the retina and its layered sections at once; angiography and autofluorescence imaging are done on the same machine.
Why we chose this device
In conditions that need follow-up, what matters is whether today's scan can be compared with the last one. This platform relocates exactly the same spot at every visit, so a difference reflects a change in the disease rather than a shift in where it was measured.
Canon
A fundus camera that photographs the retina, the macula and the optic nerve in colour. Its wide 60-degree field brings a large part of the retina into a single frame; fluorescein angiography is also performed on this device.
Why we chose this device
A colour photograph shows what cross-sections do not: bleeding, pigment change, a blocked vessel. Placing photographs taken over the years side by side is the clearest way to see which way a disease is heading.
ZEISS
The instrument that measures the visual field: the patient looks straight ahead and marks lights appearing around them, and the device maps where vision has weakened. It is the cornerstone of diagnosing and following glaucoma; loss can show up here years before the patient notices it.
Why we chose this device
In glaucoma the decision to treat rests on a curve spanning years, not a single test. Humphrey is the most widely used system and the one the literature is built on, so results can also be compared with older tests taken elsewhere.
Devices in eye care change quickly, and a newer system often means a shorter, more comfortable or more precise examination. We have renewed our equipment regularly since the day we opened, bringing new-generation systems into the clinic. This page is not fixed either: when a new device arrives, it is added here.
The price of eye examination varies depending on the tests to be performed. The treatment plan to be created by our specialist ophthalmologist after a detailed examination may vary from person to person.
The examination starts with a measurement of visual acuity. The refractive error is then measured with an autorefractometer, the pressure inside the eye is checked, and the eyelids, cornea, anterior chamber and lens are examined with a slit lamp.
Where it is needed, drops are used to widen the pupil so that the back of the eye, meaning the retina and the optic nerve, can be assessed. Depending on your symptoms, further tests such as corneal mapping, a visual field test or an OCT scan may be added.
A standard examination takes about 15-30 minutes. If the pupil is to be widened, it takes longer, because time has to be allowed for the drops to work.
Once the pupil has been widened, near vision is blurred and the eye is sensitive to light for a few hours. During that time you should not drive, it helps to have sunglasses with you, and coming with a companion is advisable where possible.
For adults without symptoms, an examination every 2 years is advised up to the age of 40, and once a year after that. After the age of forty, for people with a family history of glaucoma and for people with diabetes, more frequent check-ups are advised, because in these cases the condition can progress without giving any warning.
In children, early examination matters because vision is still developing. Amblyopia and refractive errors may go unnoticed without the child complaining, which is why an eye examination before school age is recommended.
Bring the glasses you use, any earlier prescriptions you have and a list of the medicines you take regularly. Tell your doctor if you have had eye surgery before or if you are using eye drops.
If you wear contact lenses, you may need to leave them out for a set period before the examination so that the measurements are accurate. That period depends on the type of lens, so ask when you book your appointment.
At the end of your eye test you are given a prescription, usually valid for two years. Its numbers and abbreviations describe the condition of your eyes and the correction you need. Tap a term and its column lights up in the table.
Sphere (SPH)
The main correction for short- or long-sightedness. A minus (−) means you struggle to see far away, a plus (+) means you struggle up close. The larger the number, the stronger the prescription.
Sample prescription
Over 24 years in eye care: three eye hospitals and a general hospital, a team of specialist surgeons and technology renewed every year.
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World-leading equipment for SMILE PRO, iLASIK and trifocal lenses.
Every treatment is performed by a surgeon who specialises in it.
Follow-up checks and, if ever needed, enhancement are our responsibility.
Outstanding care from start to finish. The team ensured I was fully briefed before and upon my arrival, and I felt reassured throughout the entire procedure. Jem, Dr Mehmet Ali Ozdil and Zuhal delivered exceptional service and made me feel completely at ease during my Femto‑LASIK surgery. Note, following their simple aftercare instructions is also key to recovery.
They made the process of coming to a country where I don’t speak the language and having eye surgery (frightening enough in your home town) very easy indeed. I had a wonderful interpreter with me through the entire process every day, she made everything so easy. First class facilities, first class staff and a very convenient location.
A very kind and professional medical team! The surgery was completely straightforward and was completed relatively quickly. The entire team, and especially Zuhal, my patient coordinator, was always available, incredibly helpful, and genuinely pleasant throughout the whole process. She stayed by my side from start to finish, explained everything thoroughly, and always made sure I understood what was happening. The doctor worked in a very calm and professional manner, and I never felt uncertain or uncomfortable at any point. There were three fresh meals each day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and they were all very enjoyable. The hospital rooms were also very clean and well maintained. Overall, I had a very positive experience with this hospital. I’m truly grateful to the entire team and would wholeheartedly recommend this hospital to anyone.
Hello, so I went to Optical Express in UK but they quoted me an insanely high price for LASIK Surgery. After conducting research on multiple different hospitals and eye surgery places in Turkey. I settled on Kudret Goz. Throughout the entire period they were helpful in answering all my questions and very supportive. They have very experienced doctors who perform LASIK surgery multiple times a day for 20 years plus using the latest Johnson and Johnson technology. As soon as I landed at the airport they picked me up, dropped me at the hospital where I had my own comfortable room. They provided breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the morning they conducted tests to check my vision and if I’m feasible for the surgery, the same evening the surgery happened. I was nervous but It lasted 5 - 10 minutes and rested in my room that evening taking eye drops and disinfect eye drops every hour. The next day I woke up and my vision had become incredibly better, with every passing hour it got better and better. Within 24 hours my vision was incredibly clear and I was amazed. Thank you for operating the surgery and truly providing a life changing experience. For the price and quality of service Kudret Goz is unrivalled.
I have just returned from having Lens transplantation at Kudret Eye Hospital Istanbul. I was a lone traveller who was terrified at the prospect of eye surgery even having done my research. I have to say ALL the staff at Kudret were absolutely amazing. From 1st contacting them the communication was excellent no question was too much and always received a very prompt response. I was met at the airport in the middle of the night and taken straight to the hospital, was shown to my room. I felt very safe. I had numerous test the following day and then a consultation with the Doctor who advised me of my best implants. There was always someone with me who was able to translate anything said. I had my 1st op that afternoon again I felt safe and very confident with the professionalism of all the staff. Surgery took approximately 20 mins. I had no pain and the next day was able to see near intermediate and distance although not 100% but without glasses. After further checks I then went in for my second surgery. Again all went smoothly. The following day sight had improved even more in my 1st eye and then on removal of my eye patch my 2nd eye sight was great. I am thrilled to be glasses free and my vision improves every day. I was told it can take between 1 -3 weeks for the full result. I was given eye drops for home and full care instructions. I am very grateful to all those involved in my journey Thank you.
I visited OE in the UK, which quoted £5,500 for a LASIK surgery on both my eyes. As a result, I subsequently contacted Kudret Goz Istanbul via WhatsApp, and I must say I was very impressed by the level and quality of service. The initial contact person, Cem, was very helpful and explained the process, cost (much more reasonable than the UK clinic), and aftercare procedures very clearly. The doctor that I was assigned was Dr Nail Sönmez, who was very experienced and conducted a very effective iLASIK surgery, which only lasted about 10-15 minutes, and led to a significant improvement in my vision. He was also very transparent about the associated risks involved after the operation and advised how those could be mitigated after the surgery. Although the doctor and Cem spoke English, I was also assigned a translator, Zuhal, who was very friendly and helped me communicate with other hospital staff when needed. Therefore, I highly recommend Kudret Goz Istanbul for any UK resident seeking high-quality LASIK eye surgery at an affordable price.
My wife and I both had lens replacement here due to both having cataracts. I have to say from start to finish the whole experience was excellent. Careing helpful staff took care of all our needs and queries. Experienced expert surgeon did the operations on both eyes which only takes around 10 to 15 minutes and is completely painless. Excellent aftercare after the operations. Excellent value especially compared to the UK. For the two of us we paid plot less than one operation would cost in the UK. In particular I would like to thank Gem and Zuhan, both of whom speak English, for their care and attention also i would like to thank Dr Mehmet for his expertise. We have been home now for a month or so and our vision just keeps getting better and better as explained. I have no hesitation in recommding this excellent hospital. Thanks for our new eyes.
My sister and I recently traveled from London to Istanbul for laser eye operations, and I cannot rave enough about the exceptional care we received at Kudret Göz. Despite arriving at 4:30 AM, our pre-booked transport was seamlessly ready, whisking us directly to the hospital. From the moment we stepped through the doors, the warm welcome and hospitality made us feel instantly at ease. We were promptly shown to our rooms, and the staff's genuine kindness and attentiveness completely calmed any pre-operation jitters. They truly went above and beyond to ensure we felt relaxed and comfortable throughout the entire process. Beyond the outstanding medical care, the hospital's location is a huge bonus. Theres a massive mall called the Nautilus less than a 5 minute walk away from the hospital. It has amazing food spots along with some familiar ones. Overall, I'm beyond delighted with my experience at Kudret Göz. I was truly astounded by the immense effort they put in to ensure such a seamless and positive visit, all at an incredibly fair price!!
As someone who doesn't write reviews, I feel that this is an important opportunity to reach out to others. I was full of doubts , insecurity and skepticism about this procedure. I bought into all the negatives and downsides of lens replacement surgery , Whilst doing my research . After speaking to Jem , who put no pressure on me to sell me this . I trusted and respected him . There are many places in Turkey ( Medical tourism). , who are pushy , and run clinics offering , Hair , teeth , eyes ect. Kudret goz is a eye hospital that specializes in just eyes. I did arrive nervous, But saw how professional they are. The staff were super and so friendly, From the cleaners , security, receptionists and doctors . The place was spotless and I was comfortable, even 3 hospital meals per day. I'm amazed that my results are immediate. I can see perfectly 20/20 vision both eyes . No halos . Minimal irritation in eyes after op for an hour or 2. I'm amazed at how easy it is . I flew back to Bristol and drove back to South wales late at night . And my eyes at night were spot on . I'm delighted to not be wearing glasses anymore. Which Is given me freedom and a new confidence. I ride motorbikes and can't wait to get out on the bike 🏍. Looking forward to snooker , swimming and playing football. No glasses . My advice would be not to read to much ( scare mongering tactics) i would recommend this to everyone , family , friends and anyone who wants to listen . Best couple of grand I've ever spent . Update . 1 month on perfect vision . No problems.
Easy process to book appointment, clear communication throughout. The hospital I clean and well-equipped. The staff friendly and helpful. A translator on hand from the moment I arrived until I left The preparation and tests pror to the Yag laser procedure, faultless. Clear information given on each part if the process. The procedure was painless, and no ill effects and I could see clearly about 30 minutes after the procedure. I cannot recommend them enough .
I’m very happy I chose to have my LASIK procedure done at Kudret Göz in Istanbul. From the beginning, the communication was excellent. They speak very good English and were quick to respond to all my questions via text, which made the entire process much easier. On the day of the operation, everything moved efficiently and smoothly. I felt completely comfortable during each test and step of the procedure. The doctor also spoke excellent English and took the time to reassure me with all my questions. The rest of the staff were incredibly helpful and professional, and the clinic itself was very clean and well-organized. I would highly recommend Kudret Göz to anyone considering LASIK.
Most people think an eye examination is simply a procedure for finding out their prescription. It is far more comprehensive than that, and many…
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