Introduction: A Remarkable Milestone
We conducted this interview with Dr. Karl-Erik Tillmann in a way that perfectly captures our busy lives: he had just finished a long day of performing surgeries at the KSA clinic in Tallinn, and I was calling him from behind the steering wheel, driving through the city of Ostrava on my way to Italy.
What prompted this chat was a very simple but incredible fact. Just a few months ago, Karl-Erik reached the milestone of 1,000 Flow laser surgeries. When we reviewed his results, I was honestly left speechless: for his first thousand operations, the young surgeon had zero complications and zero infections.
His results match those of highly experienced veteran surgeons. I decided to ask him directly about the secret behind such a flawless start. — Dr. Ants Haavel
There Is No "Magic," Just Great Teamwork
Dr. Ants Haavel: Your first year at KSA has brought over 1,000 laser surgeries without a single serious complication. Did you expect this, or were you surprised yourself?
Dr. Karl-Erik Tillmann: It definitely wasn't fully expected, and I was quite pleasantly surprised when we looked at the numbers together. I don't want to jinx it—anything can happen in medicine—but hitting a thousand procedures with a perfectly clean record is amazing.
However, there is no "black magic" involved. It comes down to the strict rules of the Flow procedure and our incredible team. Safety actually begins long before I ever turn on the laser. Our experienced team of optometrists performs a highly detailed "Audit" eye exam to make sure the patient meets our strict safety norms.
Because our clinic can choose our patients, we never take unnecessary risks or try to "play hero". We only operate if we can guarantee long-term safety for decades to come.
From Karate Champion to Eye Surgeon
Dr. Ants Haavel: You've practiced martial arts since childhood, and at 14, you became the Estonian youth karate champion. How does martial arts help you in the operating room?
Dr. Karl-Erik Tillmann: Karate taught me deep respect and trust. Just as a student must completely trust and respect their teacher (or sensei), they must also respect their opponent. In my medical practice, that translates into deep respect for my patients and my colleagues.
When I first started, I didn't let my ego get in the way. I fully trusted the older mentors and the clinic's systems. I even asked Ave Treier, a surgical nurse with 25 years of experience, to strictly monitor me. This trust removed my stress and allowed me to focus.
The Night Before Surgery: A Surgeon's Secret Rituals
Dr. Ants Haavel: Eye surgery requires an incredibly steady hand. How do you stay so calm and focused?
Dr. Karl-Erik Tillmann: I have some specific routines. On the mornings and days I perform surgeries, I do not drink coffee at all. I also prefer walking to the clinic instead of driving.
But my most important ritual happens the night before: I thoroughly clean and organize my home. This is an Eastern martial arts practice meant to clear the "soul and mind". I believe that if I am completely centered and peaceful, my patients will naturally sense that safety and feel calm too, which helps the whole procedure flow beautifully.
Looking Forward and Always Improving
Dr. Ants Haavel: You log the medical data from every single surgery you perform. What keeps you excited for the future?
Dr. Karl-Erik Tillmann: I collect that data so we can feed it into statistical formulas to make our KSA treatment plans even more precise. I am heavily inspired by the Japanese concept of kaizen, which means continuous improvement. I want to keep developing myself and our methods. We are always keeping our eyes open to bring the best, safest treatments to our patients.
Thank you so much, Dr. Tillmann, for sharing your story! Are you wondering if the Flow3 procedure is the right choice for your eyes? It all starts with a thorough complete vision exam. Book your appointment today and come meet our wonderful team!
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