Flow3 Laser Eye Surgery: What to Expect as a Patient

Today, let's talk about what Flow3 laser eye surgery actually feels like from the patient's side of things. Fair warning: some descriptions might make contact lens wearers squirm. But I promise—the ending is worth it.

Preparing for your laser surgery day

Getting ready for Flow3 isn't complicated, but there are a few things you need to take seriously.

If you wear contact lenses, this is the big one: stop wearing them at least 10 days before your procedure. Your eyes need to settle into their natural shape so the surgeon can map them accurately. I mostly wore glasses, so this wasn't painful for me—but I did have to map out exactly when my last lens day was.

You can eat and drink normally, but no alcohol for 24 hours before surgery. If you're someone who enjoys a drink, check what time your appointment is. You might need to plan accordingly. My procedure fell between my birthday and Christmas, so I had to do some creative scheduling.

Remove all eye makeup at least 8 hours before you arrive. And don't wear perfume on the day itself.

Here's the honest part: I got sick a few days before my appointment and genuinely worried I'd have to reschedule. I called the clinic, described my symptoms, and they talked me through it calmly. I recovered in time, but knowing they were flexible and supportive made the whole experience less stressful.

The day of surgery

I took the day completely off work. Wore my most comfortable clothes. Arrived early to settle my nerves—which, if I'm honest, were there but not overwhelming. I brought a friend along for moral support, and I'd recommend that. Just don't bring the whole family; the waiting area isn't huge.

The whole appointment took about 90 minutes. Most of that was conversations, preparation, and paperwork.

First stop: I sat at a table with a box of sunglasses in front of me and got to pick a pair for post-surgery eye protection. These aren't cheap disposables. The pair I chose that day are still my go-to sunglasses. Quality frames, proper UV protection—the clinic doesn't cut corners on aftercare.

Before the procedure, I left with everything I needed: medications, written instructions, and clear schedules for the next few weeks. Even I—someone who routinely forgets things—understood exactly what to do. The team explained everything thoroughly. Nothing was confusing.

The Flow3 procedure itself is flapless laser eye surgery, which means no corneal flap is created. That makes it safer, especially if you're active or play sports. Recovery is faster too—typically around one week before you're back to normal activities.

Why does this matter? Because the entire clinical team at KSA Silmakeskus chose Flow3 for their own vision. That's not marketing. That's proof.

After 55,000+ procedures and two decades of experience, Dr. Ants Haavel and his team know what they're doing. If you're considering laser eye surgery in Tallinn or exploring other options like ICB lens replacement for those not suitable for laser, it's worth a consultation.

The hardest part of the whole day? Staying still. The best part? Walking out and seeing clearly for the first time in years.