17 Years of Flow3 Success Stories at KSA Silmakeskus

17 Years of Excellence in Vision Correction

KSA Silmakeskus has just celebrated its 17th anniversary—and we have plenty to celebrate. Last year, a record number of patients walked through our doors to leave their glasses behind. Nearly 2,000 people chose Flow3 laser eye surgery or ICB lens replacement to reclaim their freedom from prescription lenses.

We also conducted more eye assessments than ever before. This growth became possible when we opened an additional clinic room in Tallinn and expanded our presence in Tartu. And just to top it off, we welcomed a brand-new laser to our equipment lineup at the start of the year.

But behind every number and upgrade sits something far more valuable: the KSA team. They are the real heart of our story.

Did you know our optometrists average 8 years of experience? Or that our administrator Diana just reached her 10-year milestone with us? Some team members have watched KSA evolve since day one. To mark this milestone, we spoke with Ave—our most senior procedural nurse, who has been the right hand of founder and eye surgeon Dr. Ants Haavel since the clinic's opening day.

From Day One to Today: Ave's 17-Year Journey

How different was KSA in its early years compared to now?

When KSA Silmakeskus first opened its doors 17 years ago, I was one of the earliest staff members. I was young and green, though my time in hospital operating theatres had given me solid training. What mattered most to me was the trust I was given from day one. I grew alongside this new clinic, developed alongside it. We even entrusted me with setting up the procedure room—and when the first patients arrived, I was genuinely thrilled.

Patient numbers were small at the start, but I remember every single person was happy and grateful. Today we free about 15 people from glasses daily. Back then, 5 or 6 patients a day felt like a full schedule.

We started with just two or three staff members, but growth came quickly. In those early months, we mainly treated people with presbyopia—reading glasses. We didn't have a laser yet. We performed procedures that freed people from reading glasses, and we also sold glasses and conducted eye tests. Six months after opening, we attended a conference where we first encountered a laser. Soon after, that big, magnificent machine arrived at our clinic. From that moment on, our focus shifted decisively to helping people with myopia—short-sightedness—regain clear vision.

How Laser Procedures Have Evolved

Has laser vision correction become safer and more comfortable for patients over these years?

Comparing our first laser to today's technology, refractive surgery has undergone enormous advancement—and KSA has moved with it every step of the way. The surgeon's work is now simpler, and we use fewer instruments. Most importantly, the procedure itself is safer for patients.

In the beginning, all procedures involved a surgical cut, which meant longer operating time, more tissue trauma, and longer recovery. Today, with Flow3, we've eliminated the blade entirely. It's flapless, gentler on the eye, and recovery takes just one week. That's the kind of progress that keeps us at the forefront.

The entire clinical team here at KSA chose Flow3 for their own vision—and that speaks louder than any marketing claim ever could. When surgeons and optometrists trust a procedure enough to choose it for their own eyes, you know it's genuinely the best we can offer.

Across 55,000+ procedures, we've refined every detail—from pre-operative assessment to aftercare. We've seen what works, what doesn't, and how to make the experience seamless. That experience is built into everything we do today.

Trust matters. Results matter. And 17 years of continuous improvement means our patients get both.

If you're considering vision correction, we'd welcome a conversation. Take our quick vision test to see whether Flow3 or ICB is right for you—or explore our pricing and procedures to learn more.