Dr. Ants Haavel
Ophthalmologist, CEO of KSA Vision Clinic
Dr. Ants Haavel is an ophthalmologist and founder of KSA Vision Clinic with over 25 years of clinical experience. He has performed more than 55,000 eye procedures, including Flow3 laser correction, dry eye diagnostics and treatment, and cataract surgery. Dr. Haavel is one of Estonia's most recognised refractive surgery specialists. He regularly presents at international ophthalmology conferences and practises evidence-based medicine. All medical claims on the KSA blog are reviewed and approved by him.
107 articles
Why Your Eye Drops Aren't Working: The Two Types of Dry Eye and How to Treat Them
Dry eye has two forms, so treating the wrong one makes drops or plugs fail within minutes. Evaporative dry eye lacks oil, not water—fix the glands before adding moisture.
How High Blood Pressure and Its Medicines Can Quietly Affect Your Vision
Beta-blockers and diuretics dry out tear film, while alpha-blockers can trigger IFIS, a surgical complication. Effects can linger for years, so surgeons need a patient's full hypertension history first.
Is Your Medicine Cabinet Making Your Eyes Dry? A Guide to Clear, Comfortable Vision
22 of the top 100 best-selling US drugs, including antihistamines and antidepressants, are linked to dry eye. This matters most before laser vision correction, which needs a stable tear film.
Aspirin and Your Vision: The Good, The Bad, and The Harmless Red Spots
Low-dose aspirin can turn a burst eye vessel into a harmless red patch and is linked to lower macular degeneration rates. Standard doses long-term raise wet AMD risk, so changes are a doctor's call.
The Overlooked Side Effect: How Cancer Treatments Affect Your Eyes
Cancer treatments attack fast-dividing cells, so eye and tear-gland surfaces react with dryness, watering, crusty lids or light sensitivity. Preservative-free drops and warm compresses help, but never stop treatment without your oncologist's approval.
Why Your Screen is Making Your Eyes Tired (And 5 Simple Ways to Fix It)
Screens force your eyes to focus nonstop and blink far less, leaving muscles fatigued and tears evaporating too fast. Here are five easy habits that ease the strain, plus a quick way to check if it is actually dry eye.
The Hidden Link Between Clear Skin and Clear Vision: What Accutane Users Must Know Before Laser Surgery
Isotretinoin (Accutane) shrinks the eyelids' Meibomian glands, causing dryness, redness and stinging. This affects healing and comfort, so clinics require a six-month wait before laser vision correction.
Good News for Your Eyes: Why Severe Vision Loss is Becoming a Thing of the Past
Twenty years of data show severe retinal diseases like diabetic retinopathy dropping sharply, thanks to better treatments and wider screening. See why regular eye checks now matter more than waiting for symptoms.
How Artificial Intelligence is Saving Our Sight
AI-powered eye screening can now spot diabetic retinopathy with 99.6% sensitivity, often before symptoms appear. Quick, drop-free camera scans at local clinics help protect years of healthy vision without extra hassle.
Night Vision Contacts and Laser Magic: Is Superhero Vision Real?
Chinese scientists built contact lenses with gold and rare-earth nanoparticles that turn infrared into visible light, letting wearers read Morse code in darkness. The images remain blurry and clearest with eyes shut.
Tired of Constantly Using Eye Drops? Discover How Punctum Plugs Keep Your Eyes Naturally Moist
Aqueous-deficient dry eye leaves too few tears on the surface, and they drain away through the punctum before they can help. A rice-grain-sized plug blocks that drainage; trials of 711 patients recorded a 28.2-point symptom drop and 2.7 fewer daily drops needed.
How Gene Therapy and CRISPR are Redefining Retinal Care
Since Luxturna's 2017 approval, gene therapy has advanced to CRISPR-based editing that repairs faulty DNA in the eye. Risks like immune reactions and off-target edits remain, alongside questions of affordability.