Text by Alison Hope

Regular readers of Discover Poland will already be aware that Poland has become a popular destination for patients from the United Kingdom and other parts of Western Europe – even North America. Whether it’s dental treatment or cosmetic surgery, the reason why patients are packing their bags and jetting off to Poland is often the same – a high standard of care at a significantly lower price. However, eye clinics are also receiving more and more enquiries from patients seeking treatment.

Whether patients are seeking refractive surgery, so that they can free themselves of glasses or contact lenses, or whether they require essential procedures, such as removal of cataracts or a cornea transplant, private clinics in Poland offer a credible opportunity for patients from the United Kingdom for instance, who are frustrated with long waiting lists on the National Health Service (NHS), or patients who find the cost of treatment prohibitively expensive at private clinics in other parts of Europe. Clinics such as the Oka Laser Clinic in Warsaw, headed by Professor Jerzy Szaflik and his team of experienced and qualified eye surgeons have reported an increase in the number of patients that they are receiving from countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom. “In general, we are treating patients from outside of Poland because of the price”, explains Dr Mariusz Rowiński, one of the specialists at the clinic. Depending on the specific nature of the procedure, patients from the United Kingdom who travel to Poland for eye surgery can save as much as 65% compared to the price of their procedure at home.

However it would be wrong to assume that paying a lower price would mean receiving a lower standard of care – the level of skill and experience available at many eye clinics in Poland is indeed very high. Polish ophthalmologists enjoy a reputation for high standards thanks to a couple of strong academic centres across Poland, where a group of dedicated professors gained international recognition several years ago for pioneering many of the methods and procedures that are now common in eye clinics throughout the world. The students of these initial pioneers have since gone on to develop their own clinics, creating a new generation of surgeons who are highly skilled and dedicated to correcting and repairing the sight of thousands of patients every year.

Private clinics in Poland are generally modern and equipped with the same technologies that you would expect to find in leading eye clinics anywhere else in the world. Dr Rowiński at Oka Laser Clinic in Warsaw goes into further detail on this point by explaining, “We are the largest refractive centre in Poland, and we are also leaders in this field. We introduced Lasek to Poland in 2002, and then in 2006 we started offering Epi Lasik. Last year we introduced SBK-Lasik”. Standards of hygiene and general cleanliness at many private clinics in Poland are exceptionally high, with infection control being treated as a priority.

The thought of travelling to another country for major surgery can understandably be a daunting experience, which is why many clinics in Poland have got to great lengths to ensure that special arrangements are made for patients from outside of Poland. For instance, they ensure that all contracts and aftercare advice is made available in languages such as English and German, and that there are staff who can communicate in several languages. Some clinics, such as the Dom Lekarski clinic in Szczecin will even assist patients in making travel arrangements, such as helping them to find a suitable hotel and meeting them at the airport.

The length of stay required in Poland will depend on many factors, including the specific type of procedure. According to Dr Rowiński, sight-correction surgery could potentially be carried out during a three day stay in Poland, “arrive at the clinic for the initial consultation on the first day, undergo the procedure on the second day, and then a follow-up consultation on the third day, before returning home”, he explains. This timescale does however depend from patient to patient, as well as the specific nature of the procedure. Whether elective or not, eye surgery is a major procedure, which is why it is important to establish good communication with the surgeon long before you travel to Poland for the procedure. While it is possible to discuss treatment with the surgeon via e-mail, it is generally advisable to make an initial visit to Poland to meet the surgeon and discuss the options face-to-face before committing to a procedure. With so many low-cost flights to Poland from other parts of Europe these days, this is a relatively small price to pay, and often puts patients at ease, as they get to meet the surgeon in person, and can become familiar with the clinic and its surroundings.

It is often the case that patients who travel to another country are much more thorough in researching their procedure than they perhaps would if they had opted to have their procedure closer to home. It is important to bear in mind that complications can occur, however they are extremely rare; Dr Rowiński estimates this to be approximately 0,2-0,3% and it is world standard. It is important to look for a team of surgeons that are experienced in performing each procedure – for instance, the Bopol Ophthalmic Outpatients Clinic in Warsaw carries out 2, 500 surgical procedures every year.

Research is absolutely crucial, and it is imperative that the patient fully understands every aspect of the procedure before committing to it. This means understanding what will happen at every step – from how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect at the initial consultation, to following the aftercare advice given by the surgeon. With careful research and planning, ophthalmic surgery in Poland can make a lot of sense. Not only do patients pay considerably less than they would in Western Europe or North America, they can also find themselves in the hands of some of the world’s leading eye surgeons.

 A wide range of procedures are available at eye clinics in Poland, including:

Refractive Surgery: Lasers are used to correct conditions such as short-sightedness (myopia), far-sightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism, as well as combinations of these ophthalmic conditions. Following treatment, the patient will no longer require glasses or contact lenses. There are several different types of refractive surgery, and a qualified surgeon will be able to advise on the most suitable option.

Cataract Removal: Cataracts are disc-shaped formations that cause opacity in the cornea. While they are painless, they can seriously impair vision, and lead to conditions such as double vision in a single eye and disturbed vision when in strong light. Cataracts can be removed in a surgical procedure.

Cornea Transplant: If the cornea has become damaged, a graft (from a donor) can be transplanted, either complete or partially.

How Much Does It Cost?

The price of an ophthalmic procedure depends on many factors, including the experience of the surgeon, the current condition of the eyes, and of course the type of procedure, however according to recent research, eye surgery can cost 35-65% less in Poland than at eye clinics in other parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Useful Contacts

Oka Laser Clinic, Warsawwww.okolaser.com.pl
Dom Lekarski, Szcecin www.domlekarski.pl
Wrocław Eye Centre, Wrocław www.wco.com.pl
Bopol Ophthalmic Outpatients Clinic, Warsaw www.nzoz-bopol.pl
 

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