Flow3 Laser Surgery in Tallinn: From Blurred Vision to MMA Glory

From Blurred Vision to Ring Champion

Kaido Höövelson—internationally known as the sumo wrestler Baruto—underwent Flow3 laser eye surgery at KSA Silmakeskus a few years ago. One week later, he stepped into the MMA ring. The result? He won three out of four matches. "I have KSA to thank for that," he says.

Baruto received his MMA fight invitation almost immediately after his procedure. For him, this was a dream opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"I'll admit, I was nervous at first—about my eyes and the surgery I'd just had," Baruto recalls. "But there were no problems whatsoever. I could see my opponent and every move he made crystal clear. In fact, I'm convinced that clear vision is why I won three of those four fights."

His confidence wasn't misplaced. According to Dr. Ants Haavel, founder and lead surgeon at KSA Silmakeskus, the touchless, flapless Flow3 procedure allows patients to resume normal activities within just one week.

"Because Flow3 creates no incision and no flap, there's no wound on the eye that could reopen during trauma," Dr. Haavel explains. "After one week of recovery, patients can do absolutely everything—even step into an MMA ring like Baruto did. There's nothing to worry about."

The Road to Clear Vision

When Baruto left Estonia at 19 to pursue a professional sumo career in Japan, his eyesight wasn't a priority. Everyone in his family had good vision. Why would he be different?

Then things changed.

As a professional sumo wrestler, sharp vision was essential. Winning matches meant seeing the smallest movements of your opponent. But when Baruto greeted his competitors at the starting line, he noticed something troubling: their forms were increasingly blurry.

"At that moment, I realized my vision wasn't as sharp as I thought," he says. "I lost more than a few matches because of it."

Baruto identifies several culprits: intense physical training, stress, and the demands of professional sport. But there was something else too.

"Living in Tokyo, I didn't need to see far. Everything is close—people, buildings, constant activity right in front of you," Baruto explains. "My world had become nearsighted. When I couldn't see clearly down the street, I knew: I needed glasses."

The Wrong Turn

"Like a typical Estonian, I didn't visit an optometrist or get my eyes properly tested," Baruto admits with a laugh. "I just bought myself some stylish designer glasses and called it a day. It worked—sort of."

But this was a mistake.

Year after year, his vision deteriorated. Stylish frames couldn't stop the decline. Eventually he did see a doctor and got a proper prescription. The new glasses helped a little. But his vision kept getting worse.

"Poor eyesight significantly affected my athletic career—and my quality of life in general," Baruto says. "I developed a habit of squinting constantly. I was always asking my assistant which wrestlers were on the mat. These were the early signs that something had to change."

For years, he managed with glasses and contacts. But the limitations wore on him. He wanted his life back. He wanted to see without aids, without compromise.

The Decision

That's when Baruto discovered laser eye surgery.

When he learned about Flow3—the flapless, surface-based laser procedure that KSA Silmakeskus specialises in—he was intrigued. The fact that the clinical team at KSA had all chosen Flow3 for their own vision was the deciding factor.

"If the surgeons trust it enough to use it on themselves, it must be good," Baruto reasoned.

He booked the procedure.

One Week Later

Within days of surgery, Baruto's vision began to clear. By one week, it was sharp enough for competitive sport.

When the MMA invitation arrived, he didn't hesitate. His eyes had already healed enough. The procedure had worked.

"Clear vision changed everything," Baruto reflects. "Not just in the ring, but in everyday life. I could see without thinking about it. I could move freely. I could compete at my best."

Today, Baruto credits that single decision—choosing Flow3 at KSA Silmakeskus—with giving him his athletic career back, and more importantly, his independence.

If you're tired of glasses, contacts, or blurred vision limiting your life, the same procedure that transformed Baruto's vision is available to you. Learn more about Flow3 and our other vision correction options, or check our pricing. KSA Silmakeskus has performed over 55,000 procedures—and our team trusted it enough to choose it for their own eyes.