15 Years of KSA Silmakeskus: Dr Ants Haavel's Story

How KSA Silmakeskus Started: The Origin Story

In 2004, Dr Ants Haavel had a clear vision: build a clinic in Tallinn that would offer world-class laser eye surgery and advanced diagnostic imaging. By January 2005, the right building appeared at the corner of Raua and Vilmsi streets. After renovation and design work, the clinic opened its doors on 11 May—with the first patient walking through them that same day.

From the start, KSA invested in the best technology available. The Carl Zeiss Meditec MEL 80 laser was paired with top-tier diagnostic equipment. In 2005, KSA was likely one of Estonia's best-equipped private eye clinics. Colleagues from across Europe and beyond—especially the USA and India—generously shared their expertise during those early years. The timing was right. Trust came quickly.

By 2008, KSA had become one of the region's largest providers of laser correction for myopia. The growth was organic, but it was fast.

KSA Silmakeskus in Kadriorg, Tallinn

Then and Now: What Changed

There's a lesson in how KSA started slowly. On day one, we didn't have a queue. That gave us space to learn, to refine, to get things right. Most of our patients came—and still come—by referral. That tells you something about what we deliver.

Within a year, we were at full capacity. Early on, we offered various laser and radiofrequency procedures. But I learned something fundamental: if you want to be the best, you focus. You master every detail of what you do. You don't spread yourself thin.

I also realised that staff training wasn't a cost—it was the foundation of everything. We invested a significant portion of our profits into continuous education. Many of our team have attended conferences, training programmes, and visited clinics across the world. From India to Lisbon, from learning to teaching—that culture of excellence matters.

KSA team visiting partner clinics in India and contributing volunteer work

KSA team at a European conference in Lisbon

Why This Matters

Over 55,000 procedures. Two decades of experience. A team that chose Flow3 for their own vision—because they trust it completely. That's not marketing. That's evidence.

When you're choosing a clinic for something as important as your eyes, you want more than equipment and credentials. You want a place that has thought deeply about what excellence looks like, invested in the people who deliver it, and kept learning for 15 years straight.

That's KSA. Whether you're considering Flow3 laser correction or exploring ICB lens replacement, you're working with a clinic that has earned its reputation the long way—one patient, one procedure, one referral at a time.