Has it ever happened to you that after a whole day of work in front of a monitor, the world outside the window seemed strangely blurred? Or perhaps you’ve noticed that you’re squinting more and more often, trying to read the ingredients on a package in the shop? You’re not alone in this. The statistics are relentless: almost every one of us is now struggling with some kind of visual discomfort. At the Swisslaser clinics in Warsaw and Krakow, we see this every day – our eyes simply can’t keep up with the pace imposed by modern lifestyle.
What will you learn from the text below?
- How large is the scale of vision problems in Poland? As many as 90% of Poles of working age report various eye complaints, making this almost a civilizational problem.
- Why did the pandemic harm our eyes so much? Remote work and excessive time spent on smartphones worsened vision in nearly 70% of respondents, mainly through constant accommodative strain.
- How often should we visit an ophthalmologist? A healthy adult should have their vision tested every two years, whereas people with a refractive error or over 40 must attend the practice every year.
- Can several refractive errors be corrected during one operation? Yes, thanks to refractive lens exchange we can simultaneously remove cataract, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
- Why is it worth avoiding ready-made glasses from the supermarket? Cheap “off-the-shelf” glasses do not account for the differences between your eyes and can cause severe headaches and further deterioration of vision.
Why are Poles seeing worse and worse? Worrying numbers
If we gathered all Poles in one place, it would turn out that over 60% of us already have a diagnosed refractive error. What’s worse, prevention still lags behind – one in five of us has their eyes tested less than once every five years! It’s a bit like driving a car without a service for a decade and being surprised that the brakes suddenly fail. Most people come to us only when the image becomes really blurred, yet we could nip many problems in the bud if we just gave them a moment’s attention.
Screen-induced dizziness – how technology affects our eyes
Have you ever wondered how many hours a day your eyes spend at a distance of just 30 centimeters from the screen? Remote work, and then “rest” watching a series or scrolling through social media, is a real marathon for the eye muscles. Our vision evolved to look into the distance, at the horizon line, not at a glowing, close rectangle. Can we be surprised that our body eventually says “enough”?
Myopia and astigmatism – the plague of our times?
Currently, nearly half of Poles are myopic, and almost every second person presenting to the doctor requires astigmatism correction. These are huge numbers! Untreated astigmatism means the image is perpetually distorted, forcing the brain into constant effort to “fix” what we see.
Is it only the fault of computers? Eye structure versus lifestyle
It’s worth dispelling a certain myth, however: reading books in poor light or looking at a monitor does not “damage” the eye directly, but drastically accelerates processes that are already occurring within it. Myopia often results from the very structure of the eyeball. If the eye has grown too long, the image does not land perfectly on the retina. Screens simply make us feel this material fatigue faster and more intensely.
Better to prevent than to cure – golden rules of prevention
Many patients ask me: “If I see well, why do I need a doctor?”. The answer is simple: many eye diseases, such as glaucoma, do not hurt for a long time and give no clear symptoms. By the time you notice something is wrong, the changes may already be irreversible. Why risk it?
Vision checks in adults and children – when to go to the practice?
The standard is an examination once every two years, but if you already have glasses – come to us every year. Let’s be especially vigilant with children! The first preventive examination should take place between the child’s 2nd and 3rd year of life. Early detection of a defect in a child is a chance that in adulthood their problem will be significantly smaller.
Warning signals that must not be ignored
Your body sends signals before your vision fails completely. Frequent headaches, burning eyes, difficulty falling asleep, or temporary blurring of vision are not trifles. They are your eyes’ cry for help! Is it really worth waiting until the discomfort becomes unbearable?
Challenges of Polish ophthalmology – the system versus the patient
Unfortunately, the Polish healthcare system does not make it easy for us to take care of our eyes. Queues to see specialists are one thing, but the problem is also the lack of reimbursement for modern treatment methods, which forces many patients to seek help on their own.
NFZ and “cosmetic” procedures – why do you have to pay for laser yourself?
Did you know that the NFZ still considers laser vision correction to be a… cosmetic procedure? This is sad, because for a person with a significant defect, glasses are not an ornament, but a condition for normal functioning. In public facilities, during cataract surgery the patient receives a standard monofocal lens. If you want to see well at every distance and get rid of astigmatism, you must opt for PREMIUM lenses, which we offer in private clinics.
Modern solutions for later life – regain visual comfort
We are aging as a society, and our eyes are aging with us. After the age of 40, almost everyone begins to experience so-called presbyopia. This is the moment when your arms suddenly become “too short” to read the newspaper.
Refractive lens exchange – several problems, one solution
Imagine that during one short procedure you get rid of cataract, refractive error, and presbyopia. This is precisely what refractive lens exchange makes possible. We replace your natural, worn lens with a modern implant that restores sharpness of vision at every distance.
Expert explains: “At Swisslaser we don’t just treat defects, we restore quality of life. Thanks to modern technologies, we can offer patients solutions that no one dreamed of even a decade ago. I see no reason why, at the age of 50 or 60, one should give up favorite activities just because of poor vision” — Dr Victor Derhartunian
The “supermarket glasses” trap – why is it worth avoiding bazaars?
Cheap glasses from the drugstore are the greatest enemy of your eyes. These are not medical devices tailored to you! Each of us has a different pupillary distance, and often also a different defect in each eye. Buying “ready-made” glasses is a straight path to chronic headaches and deepening of the problems we wanted to solve.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
1. Does laser vision correction hurt? The procedure itself is painless, because we perform it under local anesthesia (drops). Afterwards you may feel a slight burning sensation, as if a grain of sand had got into your eye, but this discomfort passes quickly.
2. Can a refractive error return after laser? If we perform the procedure on a stabilized defect, the effect will stay with you permanently. Of course, we will not stop the natural aging of the eye, but we will remove your original defect once and for all.
3. How much does cataract surgery with a Premium lens cost? The price depends on the type of lens chosen (e.g. toric or multifocal). Although it is a considerable expense, most clinics, including Swisslaser, offer convenient installment systems that do not burden the household budget so heavily.
4. Do I have to wear glasses after lens exchange? In the vast majority of cases – no! Premium multifocal lenses allow for free reading, working at the computer, and driving without additional support.
5. How long does convalescence last? It is an individual matter, but most of our patients return to normal functioning after just a few days. You will usually notice full stabilization of vision within a few weeks.
