Keratoconus treatment for patients from Warsaw and Mazovia: MS-39 tomography with epithelial mapping, crosslinking using any protocol (including sub400 and with laser), ICL lenses for stable keratoconus, qualification and follow-ups for CAIRS rings. All at the SwissLaser clinic at Kolejowa 1 Street in Warsaw (Wola). Treatment is provided by Dr. Victor Derhartunian, who has been performing crosslinking since 2007 and learned the method from its creator, Prof. Theo Seiler in Zurich. Prices: crosslinking PLN 3,600, CXL with laser PLN 8,700, CAIRS PLN 16,000, ICL PLN 11,000, qualification PLN 400.
Keratoconus Treatment in Warsaw — Quick Answers
- Is the entire keratoconus treatment performed in Warsaw? Tomography, qualification, crosslinking using any protocol, laser variants, ICL lenses, and all follow-ups are. The only exception is the CAIRS procedure itself, which we perform at our center in Vienna; qualification and follow-ups for it are conducted in Warsaw.
- How long is the wait for crosslinking in Warsaw? Privately at SwissLaser: qualification within 1–2 weeks, procedure in the following 1–3 weeks. Under the National Health Fund (NFZ) in Warsaw hospitals, the waiting time ranges from several weeks to several months, depending on the facility.
- Can I come for qualification and the procedure on the same day? Qualification and the procedure on the same day are possible if you already have previous corneal maps confirming progression. Without them, we schedule the procedure the day after the examination or in the following week.
- Do you treat keratoconus in children in Warsaw? Yes, in teenagers who cooperate during the procedure, under topical anesthesia. Younger children are operated on under general anesthesia at our center in Vienna.
SwissLaser in numbers: crosslinking since 2007, method learned from Prof. Theo Seiler in Zurich · over 25,000 refractive procedures by the chief surgeon · MS-39 and Anterion tomography · one team in Warsaw, Krakow, Vienna, and Zurich · Google: 4,8 (Warsaw) and 5,0 (Krakow)
For patients from Warsaw, Mazovia, and eastern Poland
The clinic at Kolejowa 1 Street is located in Wola, next to Warszawa Zachodnia railway station and 10 minutes from Warszawa Centralna railway station, which is why patients with keratoconus from all over Mazovia and neighboring provinces come to us. We plan qualification and the procedure so that the visit is one or two consecutive days, and follow-ups after 6 and 12 months can be performed by an ophthalmologist in your city with tomography results sent to us.
- Warsaw and agglomeration: Pruszków, Piaseczno, Legionowo, Otwock, Wołomin, Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki: 20–40 minutes by car or train.
- Mazovia: Radom, Płock, Siedlce, Ostrołęka, Ciechanów, Żyrardów: 1–1.5 hours; by train directly to Warszawa Centralna or Zachodnia.
- Łódź, Białystok, Lublin, Olsztyn, Kielce: 1.5–2.5 hours by train; procedure possible the day after qualification, accommodation near the clinic recommended upon request.
- Tricity and north: For patients from Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Toruń, we offer tomography and the procedure in one visit; remote follow-ups with tomography results from a local clinic. Detailed plan: keratoconus for patients from Tricity.
Two treatment goals that must not be confused
During qualification at Kolejowa 1, we separate two decisions. The first is stopping the disease – crosslinking (CXL) stiffens the cornea and in over 90% of cases permanently stops progression, but does not improve visual acuity. The second is improving vision – crosslinking with laser, CAIRS rings, ICL lenses, or rigid and scleral lenses. The sequence and details of the methods are described in the keratoconus guide.
Diagnostics in Warsaw: tomography is decisive
Keratoconus is diagnosed with tomography before visual acuity changes. In the Warsaw facility, the second-generation MS-39 tomograph maps the corneal epithelium and stroma separately, and Anterion biometry complements it; comparing successive maps shows whether the keratoconus is progressing. Qualification takes 60–90 minutes and costs PLN 400.
Before the examination, discontinue soft contact lenses for 7 days, rigid lenses for 3–4 weeks. Do not delay tomography if your eyeglass prescription changes every few months, astigmatism is increasing, there is keratoconus in the family, or you are under 25 and rub your eyes.
How keratoconus treatment proceeds in Warsaw
- Qualification in Warsaw: MS-39 tomography, Anterion, pachymetry, progression assessment, and a written treatment plan (PLN 400).
- Crosslinking: outpatient procedure, approximately one hour per eye, topical anesthesia; protocol selected based on corneal thickness (standard, accelerated, sub400, with laser).
- First days: bandage contact lens, follow-up the next day, office work after 5–7 days.
- Follow-ups in Warsaw: after one month (included in price), tomography after 6 and 12 months, then annually.
- Subsequent stages, if needed: CAIRS (qualification and follow-ups in Warsaw, procedure in Vienna), ICL lens after one year of stability, selection of scleral lenses.
Keratoconus Treatment Ladder: From Observation to Reconstruction
- Stable keratoconus: follow-up tomography every 6–12 months (PLN 250) – in Warsaw or with an ophthalmologist in your city.
- Progressive keratoconus: crosslinking at Kolejowa 1, protocol tailored to corneal thickness.
- Irregular cornea: crosslinking with laser – stopping and smoothing in one procedure.
- Advanced keratoconus, contact lens intolerance: CAIRS rings – qualification and follow-ups in Warsaw, procedure at our center in Vienna.
- After corneal stabilization: ICL lens or rigid and scleral lenses.
How much does it cost
- Qualification with tomography: PLN 400
- Crosslinking (CXL): PLN 3,600 per eye
- Crosslinking with laser (Cretan, Athenian, TCW protocol): PLN 8,700 per eye
- CAIRS rings: PLN 16,000 per eye (procedure in Vienna)
- ICL lens: PLN 11,000 per eye
- Installments: Santander Consumer Bank
NFZ or private in Warsaw?
Crosslinking has been funded by the NFZ since September 2023, but in a limited number of hospitals and with waiting times ranging from several weeks to several months, depending on the facility and region. For progressive keratoconus in a young person, this time matters: crosslinking halts the disease at the stage it is found. If you choose NFZ, first get a tomography to know how much time you safely have. Laser variants, sub400, and CAIRS are only available privately.
Full list of what is reimbursed in ophthalmology in Warsaw and Mazovia by the NFZ: ophthalmology under NFZ in Warsaw.
What Crosslinking Does Not Do
Crosslinking does not improve visual acuity – it stops the disease. In some patients, the cornea flattens slightly over time, but this should not be expected. For several days after the procedure, the eye is irritated and vision is blurred; return to office work occurs after 5–7 days. If you want better vision, we discuss separately the laser variant, CAIRS, ICL, or rigid lenses.
Crosslinking is a procedure performed to prevent the need for a corneal transplant ten years later. It does not provide an effect that the patient will see the next day; it provides stability. For young patients with progressive keratoconus, this is the most important decision in the entire treatment.
Dr. med. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS
Questions about keratoconus treatment in Warsaw
How much does crosslinking cost in Warsaw?
Crosslinking (CXL) PLN 3,600 per eye, crosslinking with laser PLN 8,700, qualification with tomography PLN 400. Installment payments available (Santander Consumer Bank).
How to schedule a qualification for keratoconus in Warsaw?
Online at Book an appointment – Warsaw or by phone at +48 22 120 16 90. Qualification at Kolejowa 1 takes 60–90 minutes.
How long is the wait for crosslinking in Warsaw?
At SwissLaser, qualification usually within 1–2 weeks, procedure in the following 1–3 weeks. Under the National Health Fund (NFZ) in Warsaw hospitals, from several weeks to several months, depending on the facility.
Can qualification and the procedure be on the same day?
Yes, if you have previous corneal maps confirming progression. Without them, we schedule the procedure the day after the examination or in the following week.
Is crosslinking reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ)?
Yes, since September 2023, but in a limited number of hospitals and with a waiting list. Variants with laser, sub400, and CAIRS are available only privately. More: ophthalmology under the NFZ in Warsaw.
When will I return to work after crosslinking?
To office work usually after 5–7 days. During the first days, you wear a bandage contact lens; follow-up takes place the next day.
Must the post-procedure follow-up take place in Warsaw?
The follow-up the next day and after one month must. Tomographies after 6 and 12 months can be performed by an ophthalmologist in your city, and you can send us the result; we will compare it with the baseline examination.
Where is the CAIRS procedure performed?
We conduct qualification and follow-ups in Warsaw; the CAIRS procedure itself is performed at our center in Vienna (PLN 16,000 per eye).
Do you treat keratoconus in teenagers in Warsaw?
Yes, in teenagers who cooperate during the procedure, under topical anesthesia. Younger children are operated on under general anesthesia at our center in Vienna.
Where in Warsaw to get scleral lenses for keratoconus?
Scleral lens fitting is conducted at our clinic in Krakow; patients from Warsaw are directed there or to collaborating optometrists in Warsaw after undergoing tomography with us.
Video: Keratoconus, what it is and how we treat it
Dr. Victor Derhartunian explains what keratoconus is, how tomography works, and how we choose the treatment method.
Our Patients’ Reviews
Google rating: Warsaw 4,8 (reviews: 258) · Krakow 5,0 (reviews: 171). All reviews, without selection or editing, can be read directly on Google: Warsaw · Krakow.
Related Topics
- Keratoconus: A Complete Guide
- Crosslinking: Protocols, Procedure, Price
- CAIRS Rings
- Keratoconus Treatment Price List
- ICL Lenses in Warsaw
- Keratoconus Treatment in Krakow
- How to Prepare for Qualification
Content medically verified by Dr. med. univ. (Vienna) Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS, a surgeon performing crosslinking since 2007. Last updated: September 6, 2026.
How to reach the clinic in Warsaw
Kolejowa 1 Street, 01-217 Warsaw – Wola, next to West Railway Station.
Phone: +48 22 120 16 90 · Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Bus: Kolejowa stop approximately 110 m from the entrance – less than two minutes on foot.
- Train: Warszawa Zachodnia station approximately 420 m, or a 6-minute walk. You can also get there by WKD commuter rail.
- Tram: Szpital Wolski stop approximately 560 m.
- Long-distance buses: Dworzec Autobusowy Zachodni (Western Bus Station) approximately 700 m.
- By car: underground parking approximately 240 m away.
Other Procedures in Warsaw
In the same clinic, we also perform:
Laser vision correction
Trans-PRK, FemtoLASIK, SmartSight – from PLN 10,000 for a pair of eyes
Phakic ICL Lenses
when laser is not enough: refractive errors up to -18 dpt, PLN 11,000 per eye
Refractive Lens Exchange
solution after 45 years of age, also corrects presbyopia
Cataract Surgery
removal of clouded lens with premium implant
Presbyopia Treatment
PresbyMAX, EDOF lenses, monovision
