Merili Sirvel: How Flow3 Changed My Cycling Life

Meet Merili Sirvel

Merili is a 19-year-old mountain biker from West-Virumaa with serious credentials. She's been racing bicycles for eight years and has accumulated an impressive record: in 2016, she was named Estonia's best U18 female cyclist and Lääne-Virumaa's top female athlete. But like many athletes, she faced a frustrating obstacle: glasses and contact lenses.

We sat down with Merili after her recent Flow3 procedure at KSA Silmakeskus to discuss her cycling journey, why she chose Flow3, and what it feels like to see clearly—without correction—for the first time.

How Did You Get Into Cycling?

Merili: "My father started doing bicycle marathons, and that gave me the chance to test myself against other kids my age at local races. That's where the bug bit. What keeps me going is the desire to get stronger—both in power and technique. And honestly, there's nothing like the feeling of finally riding a technical section you were too nervous to attempt before. The adrenaline from training and racing is addictive."

How Long Were You Wearing Glasses and Contacts?

Merili: "I got my first pair of glasses in sixth grade, but I hated wearing them. They were constantly in the way. When my vision got worse a few years later, I switched to contact lenses."

What Made You Decide to Fix Your Vision Permanently?

Merili: "I never liked glasses—they were always slipping, always needed adjusting and cleaning. Contacts were more convenient, but they brought their own problems. My eyes would dry out every evening. During races, I'd get dirt or debris in my eye, which actually made my vision worse. The last straw came during a competition when a lens fell out mid-race. I had to finish with blurry vision. It happened more than once.

I realised I wanted to experience the world with my own eyes—no aids, no workarounds. The idea of not fumbling with lenses every morning and night was huge. But more than that, I wanted freedom. I wanted to focus on my cycling, not on managing my vision."

How Has Life Changed After Flow3?

Merili: "Completely. I can't imagine going back. On the bike, everything is sharper. I notice details in the trail I didn't before. Training feels easier because I'm not managing my eyes—I'm just riding. Recovery from Flow3 was quick, which meant I was back to serious training within about a week. And psychologically, knowing I can wake up and see clearly without reaching for anything? That's worth everything. For an athlete, vision is everything. Now mine is mine again."

Why Flow3?

Merili chose Flow3—KSA Silmakeskus's flapless surface laser technique—for good reason. It's particularly suited to active people. There's no corneal flap to protect, no restricted activities during healing. That matters when your sport is mountain biking. It also meant she could return to training faster than traditional LASIK.

The clinic itself is hard to argue with: over 55,000 procedures performed, led by Dr. Ants Haavel with 20+ years of experience. And here's the real trust signal—the entire clinical team chose Flow3 for their own vision. When your surgeon wouldn't use a different method on their own eyes, you know you're in good hands.

If you're an athlete, weekend warrior, or just tired of managing your vision, it might be worth a conversation. Book a quick vision assessment to see if Flow3 or ICB lens replacement is right for you.