Actress Maarja Johanna Mägi on Flow3 Laser Eye Surgery

From the Theatre to the Screen

Maarja Johanna Mägi graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre's acting programme in 2020. Since then, she's been a performer at Vanemuise Theatre and appeared in several acclaimed Estonian films. Her role as Keterly in the beloved "Apothecary Melchior" trilogy won her the EFTA award for Best Actress this year. At just 26, her achievements read like a career spanning decades—yet she's only getting started.

But there's more to Maarja Johanna than red carpets and standing ovations. In this conversation, we explore what drives her as a performer, the unique demands of balancing theatre and film, and a very personal decision: what happens when you want to shed your glasses, but they've become part of who you are?

How Did You Know?

Did you always want to become an actress? Could you have imagined, just a few years after finishing the Academy, where you'd be today?

I showed signs of performing as a young child. But as a teenager, I was actually quite shy—one of the quieter kids in class. I couldn't even give presentations without anxiety. It wasn't until early secondary school that the pull towards acting came back.

Honestly? No, I couldn't have imagined this. Three years after graduating, I never expected to be where I am now—doing theatre and this much film work simultaneously. I'm incredibly grateful. Being an actress lets me live my own life and experience so many others through the characters I play.

A Day in the Life (When One Exists)

What does a typical day look like for you?

Theatre actors have more routine than film actors, and since most of my time is at the theatre, I do have a "typical day." Rehearsals usually run 11–15:00 and 18–21:00. But evenings often mean performances instead—usually starting at 19:00, with the longest shows finishing after 23:00.

That's the baseline. On top of that are side projects: film shoots happening at random hours, sometimes overnight. There's no such thing as a standard schedule.

Finding Space to Breathe

Do you manage to rest and recharge? How do you do it?

My work is largely my hobby. Acting opens doors into so many different fields. Right now I'm learning piano for a new production. With each new role comes a new skill to chase. One hobby that came and stayed is acrobatics—it's an excellent physical workout, but equally important psychologically. It's about constantly testing your boundaries. Outside work, I spend time in nature (it clears my head brilliantly) and I love to travel.

The Glasses Dilemma

For years, glasses were simply part of Maarja Johanna's identity. But as her career demanded more—long days on set, performances under bright stage lights, the subtle challenge of maintaining character when you're adjusting frames—the question grew louder: What if I didn't have to?

The desire to correct her shortsightedness was strong. Yet there was hesitation. Glasses had been with her through every scene, every audition, every milestone. Were they an essential part of how she saw herself?

It's a question many people face when considering vision correction. The practical benefits are clear—sharper sight, freedom from frames, easier work on set. But the emotional weight of change shouldn't be underestimated.

For Maarja Johanna, the answer came in the form of Flow3 laser eye surgery—a flapless procedure that has become the choice of eye care professionals themselves, including the entire clinical team at KSA Silmakeskus.

Why Flow3?

Flow3 stands apart because it requires no flap creation. Instead, the laser works on the eye's surface, making it the safer choice for active people—and for an actress juggling theatre, film, and acrobatics, safety matters.

Recovery is also faster than traditional LASIK: approximately one week of clear vision restoration, compared to several weeks with other methods. For someone with a packed schedule, that's meaningful.

But perhaps most telling: the ophthalmologists and surgeons at KSA Silmakeskus—people who understand every vision correction option available—chose Flow3 for their own eyes. Dr. Ants Haavel, who founded the clinic 20 years ago, has performed over 55,000 procedures. When the experts trust their own work enough to choose it personally, that's not marketing. That's evidence.

The Choice

Maarja Johanna's decision to move forward with vision correction was ultimately personal. But it reflects something deeper: the confidence that comes from knowing you're in experienced hands, and the clarity that sometimes, letting go of what defines you outwardly can reveal something more authentic within.

For anyone considering their own vision correction journey—whether you're navigating similar questions about identity, or simply exploring whether laser eye surgery is right for you—the professionals at KSA Silmakeskus are worth consulting. They speak the language of both science and life.

Interested in learning more about Flow3 or other vision correction options? Book a consultation or explore our pricing to see what's available for your needs.