Eye Problems in Summer? Where to Go in Tallinn

Summer means activity—sports, travel, gardening, outdoor hobbies. It also means more eye problems. We see it every year at KSA: infections, injuries, scratches, irritation. The question we hear most: where do I actually go for help? Here's the answer.

Optician

Opticians are your first stop for glasses and contact lenses. They run vision tests and write prescriptions. They're excellent at what they do—finding the right frame, the right correction. But they're not the place for eye infections or injuries. Some opticians' practices do have an ophthalmologist on site, though you'll usually need to book ahead.

Pharmacy

Go to a pharmacy for dry eye syndrome or mild irritation—that scratchy, uncomfortable feeling with slight redness. They can recommend lubricating drops, which often help. But they won't have anti-inflammatory drops, and they won't diagnose infection.

Your GP

Your general practitioner handles minor eye problems well: styes, mild inflammation, red or sticky eyes where vision hasn't changed. You don't need emergency care for straightforward conjunctivitis—your GP can start treatment and monitor it. This saves the emergency department for genuine emergencies.

Eye Specialist

An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats serious eye conditions. Ideally, see one every two years for a checkup—especially if eye disease runs in your family, or if you have other health conditions that affect your eyes. Common conditions include cataracts, glaucoma, and more. Don't go to an ophthalmologist just for a glasses prescription; they're busy treating disease. Both public clinics and private practices in Estonia offer specialist care.

Emergency Department or Eye Emergency Clinic

Go to A&E if:

• An eye infection hasn't improved after several days
• Inflammation started after wearing contact lenses
• You have a serious eye injury or penetrating wound
• Chemical or caustic substance entered your eye
• Your vision suddenly changed or worsened
• You see new dark spots or defects in your visual field
• You've been hit in or around the eye
• A foreign object is stuck in your eye

Some vision problems signal other health conditions, so don't hesitate to go if you're unsure.

What Does KSA Silmakeskus Do?

We specialise in comprehensive eye assessments and laser vision correction for myopia (short-sightedness). Our flagship procedure is Flow3—a flapless surface laser technique that's gentler on the eye, safer for active people and athletes, and heals in about a week.

We also offer ICB lens replacement for patients who aren't suitable for laser surgery—this involves replacing your natural lens with an implant, and is ideal for presbyopia and high refractive errors.

Dr. Ants Haavel and our team have completed over 55,000 procedures. The entire clinical team chose Flow3 for their own eyes—that tells you everything about how much we trust it.

If you're thinking about vision correction, book a quick assessment or check our pricing. We serve Estonian, Russian, and international patients in Tallinn.

Your eyes deserve the right care at the right place. When it's vision correction you're after, we know exactly what we're doing.