Keratoconus – treatment price list 2026: crosslinking, CXL with laser, CAIRS, ICL
A single, transparent price list for keratoconus treatment at SwissLaser in Warsaw and Krakow. The same prices in both clinics, two follow-up appointments included with every procedure, possibility of instalments.
Keratoconus treatment prices at a glance
- Crosslinking (CXL): 3,600 PLN per eye, any protocol (standard, accelerated, sub400, epi-on).
- Crosslinking with laser (Cretan protocol CXL + PTK, Athenian CXL + topographic PRK, Total Corneal Wavefront): 8,700 PLN per eye.
- CAIRS rings (KeraNatural): 16,000 PLN per eye, procedure at our center in Vienna, assessment and follow-ups in Poland. Why Vienna? In Poland, CAIRS is classified as a corneal tissue transplant and cannot be performed in a private clinic – which is why we perform the procedure itself in Austria.
- ICL lens for stable keratoconus: 11,000 PLN per eye, also toric.
- Assessment with MS-39 tomography: 400 PLN. Tomographic follow-up for keratoconus observation: 250 PLN. Instalments: Santander Consumer Bank.
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)
Keratoconus Treatment Price List — Quick Answers
- How much does crosslinking cost? 3,600 PLN per eye for any protocol, with two follow-up appointments in the first month. The laser variant (Cretan, Athenian, or Total Corneal Wavefront protocol) costs 8,700 PLN per eye.
- Why do CAIRS cost 16,000 PLN? The price includes segments from a certified tissue bank (KeraNatural), ATOS femtosecond laser, procedure and follow-up in our Vienna center, travel coordination, and all follow-up appointments in Poland for the first year.
- Is keratoconus treatment reimbursed by the NFZ (National Health Fund)? Crosslinking is, since September 2023, in selected hospitals and with a waiting list. Laser variants, sub400 protocol, CAIRS, and ICL lenses are not funded by the NFZ. At SwissLaser, all procedures are private, without a waiting list, with the possibility of instalments.
- Is the price the same in Warsaw and Krakow? Yes. The same surgeon, the same equipment, and the same prices in both clinics.
- Is the assessment deducted from the procedure price? No, the assessment (400 PLN) is a separate examination, the result of which is yours regardless of the decision about the procedure. You receive tomographic maps and a written treatment plan, even if you decide to seek treatment elsewhere.
Keratoconus Procedure Price List
| Procedure | Price per eye | What it includes | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crosslinking (CXL) epi-off, accelerated, sub400, epi-on | 3,600 PLN | procedure, riboflavin, bandage contact lens, 2 follow-up appointments in the first month, medical leave | Warsaw, Krakow |
| Crosslinking + laser: Cretan protocol (CXL + PTK) | 8,700 PLN | as above plus laser epithelial removal and regularization (Schwind Amaris 1050RS) | Warsaw, Krakow |
| Crosslinking + laser: Athenian protocol (CXL + topographic PRK) | 8,700 PLN | as above plus topography-guided ablation up to 50 µm | Warsaw, Krakow |
| Crosslinking + Trans-PRK Total Corneal Wavefront | 8,700 PLN | as above, plan from a 3D corneal model MS-39 | Warsaw, Krakow |
| CAIRS rings (KeraNatural) | 16,000 PLN | tissue from tissue bank, ATOS femtosecond laser, procedure and follow-up in Vienna, travel coordination, follow-up appointments in Poland for one year | procedure Vienna, rest Warsaw, Krakow |
| Phakic ICL / EVO+ lens (also toric) | 11,000 PLN | lens, procedure, 2 follow-up appointments in the first month | Warsaw, Krakow |
| Repeat crosslinking (for late progression) | 3,600 PLN | as crosslinking | Warsaw, Krakow |
Diagnostics and Follow-ups
| Examination | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Keratoconus treatment assessment (MS-39 tomography, Anterion, pachymetry, refraction, fundus examination) | 400 PLN | 60–90 minutes; discontinue soft lenses 7 days, hard lenses 3–4 weeks prior |
| Control corneal tomography for keratoconus observation | 250 PLN | every 6–12 months; comparison with previous examinations |
| Post-procedure follow-up appointments in the first month | included in the procedure price | next day and after one month |
| Tomography after 6 and 12 months post-procedure | 250 PLN | assessment of crosslinking effectiveness |
| Selection of hard or scleral lenses | individual quote | Krakow; includes trial lenses and fitting appointments |
| Post-procedure eye drops | approx. 100–150 PLN | prescription, purchase at pharmacy |
NFZ or private: an honest comparison
Crosslinking has been covered by the NFZ (National Health Fund) since September 2023. This is good news for patients, but it’s worth knowing the differences before you decide.
| NFZ (hospital) | SwissLaser (private) | |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting time | from several weeks to several months, depending on the hospital | assessment within 1–2 weeks, procedure in another 1–3 weeks |
| Protocol | usually standard epi-off | standard, accelerated, sub400 for thin corneas, epi-on |
| Laser variants (Cretan, Athenian) | no | yes, 8,700 PLN |
| CAIRS | no | yes, 16,000 PLN |
| Diagnostics | topography, often without epithelial map | MS-39 with epithelial map and Anterion, the same surgeon at every stage |
| Cost | 0 PLN | 3,600 PLN per eye, instalments |
If you choose NFZ, do so consciously: ask for the tomography result and check if the keratoconus is progressing. With rapid progression in a young person, a few months of waiting means tissue loss that crosslinking will no longer recover.
Instalments and Payment
- Instalments: Santander Consumer Bank, decision at the clinic or online, usually within a few minutes; 0% possible for selected periods.
- Payment: card, bank transfer, or cash on the day of the procedure; assessment payable on the day of the examination.
- Invoice: upon request, also for companies; keratoconus treatment can be deducted under rehabilitation relief if you have a disability certificate.
- Patients from outside Warsaw and Krakow: assessment and procedure are planned for a single visit or two consecutive days, follow-up appointments possible with an ophthalmologist in your city by sending results.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Prices
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, through Santander Consumer Bank; you submit the application at the clinic or online, decision usually within a few minutes.
How much does treatment for both eyes cost?
Double, because each eye is a separate procedure performed 1–4 weeks apart. If keratoconus is progressing in only one eye, we operate only on that eye and observe the other.
What if crosslinking doesn’t stop keratoconus?
In 2–5% of patients, mainly teenagers, a repeat procedure is needed, paid for like the first (3,600 PLN). Progression is detected by tomography after 6 and 12 months.
Sources
- Act of April 15, 2011, on medical activity, Art. 14 and 24 (information on service prices). isap.sejm.gov.pl
Related topics
- Keratoconus: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
- Crosslinking: protocols and procedure
- CAIRS rings
- Phakic ICL lenses
- How to prepare for assessment
- Keratoconus treatment in Warsaw
- Keratoconus treatment in Krakow
Content medically reviewed by Dr. med. univ. (Vienna) Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS, surgeon performing crosslinking since 2007. Last updated: October 2, 2026. Price status: 2026-10-02.
Where We Perform This Procedure
We perform the procedure in both our clinics – same surgeon, same technology, and same prices. Choose a location to see details, directions, and office hours:
Keratoconus treatment in Warsaw
ul. Kolejowa 1, 01-217 Warsaw · tel. +48 22 120 16 90
Keratoconus treatment in Krakow
ul. Kluczborska 15/U3, 31-271 Krakow · tel. +48 12 383 33 60
