FemtoLASIK — Quick Answers
- How does Wavefront HD differ from standard Femto-LASIK? Wavefront HD corrects so-called higher-order aberrations (your unique optical imperfections), which improves contrast and reduces the halo effect during night driving.
- Does the Femto-LASIK Wavefront procedure hurt? No. We use strong anesthetic drops. You may only feel a gentle pressure for about 15 seconds. The procedure is painless.
- How many days of sick leave (L4) do I need, and do I have to take vacation? You don’t have to waste your vacation. We issue sick leave (L4) usually for 2-3 days. This is the time your eyes will comfortably regenerate before returning to screens.
- Can the vision defect return (regression)? Thanks to the precision of MS39 mapping and rigorous qualification, the risk of regression is minimal, and for patients with a stable defect, the effect is usually lifelong.
- Is this procedure refunded by the NFZ (National Health Fund)? No, laser vision correction with these technologies is a procedure performed exclusively privately.
Femto-LASIK Wavefront: The Swiss Standard for Freedom from Glasses. 100% Laser Precision.
Warsaw · Krakow · Vienna · Zurich
Femto-LASIK is a mature, fully laser vision correction method, which at SwissLaser is performed to the rigorous standard of “All-Laser” (complete absence of a mechanical blade). Thanks to digital integration with the MS39 tomograph, the procedure is personalized to your “digital fingerprint”. The procedure is painless, lasts 15 minutes, and return to work (supported by L4 sick leave) and full activity usually occurs within 24 hours.
Why We Don’t Use a Scalpel
Many people postpone the procedure, unconsciously accepting the risk of daily contact lens wear. Corneal irritation, the risk of serious bacterial infections, and chronic hypoxia are real threats.
At SwissLaser, we reverse this model. Technology takes full control over safety:
- Digital Eye Twin (MS39 Tomography): Before the laser begins its work, the MS39 device creates a three-dimensional, sub-micron map of your cornea. The laser “knows” more about your eye than you do. Zero guesswork, 100% predictability.
- Intelligent Cyclorotation (compensation for eye rotation during astigmatism correction): When you lie down for the procedure, your eye naturally rotates slightly. Ordinary lasers don’t detect this. Our system recognizes this rotation and corrects it in a fraction of a second, allowing for precise astigmatism correction.
- Vertex Centration (Night Vision Quality): Standard clinics center the laser on the middle of the pupil. We center it on your actual line of sight (Vertex). This detail ensures that you see sharply at night and car lights don’t blind you (no halo effect).
Am I a Candidate?
SwissLaser Traffic Light System
Green Light
(Ideal Candidates)
Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism. Age 18-50, stable defect, healthy eyes.
Yellow Light
(Consultation Required):
Dry eye syndrome, very thin cornea, age over 50 (possibility of presbyopia).
Red Light
(Not Qualified – but alternatives exist):
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, glaucoma, cataracts, keratoconus.
Comparison of Laser Correction Methods
By choosing SwissLaser, you choose uncompromising quality. See how our standard compares to older technologies.
| Feature | Old Method (Microkeratome LASIK) | Femto-LASIK (Standard) | Femto-LASIK Wavefront (Premium HD) |
| Flap Creation | Mechanical Blade (Knife) | Femtosecond Laser | Femtosecond Laser |
| Personalization | None | Standard (Diopters) | Individual 3D Wavefront Map |
| Centration | Manual | Digital | On the visual axis (Vertex) |
| Night Vision | Possible Glare | Very Good | Optimized (HD Quality) |
| Cyclorotation | None | Yes | Full Digital Automation |
| Healing Time | 5-7 days | 24-48 hours (L4) | 24-48 hours (L4) |
Procedure Cost and Installment Plan
Status Quo: 10 years of wearing premium contact lenses, solutions, and buying glasses costs around 20,000 – 25,000 PLN.
SwissLaser Solution: The Femto-LASIK procedure is a one-time investment. Thanks to cooperation with Santander Consumer Bank (MediRaty), you can finance your new vision with convenient installments. The monthly installment is often lower than your current optician budget.
Treatment Process Step-by-Step
- Swiss Qualification (MS39 Diagnostics): We perform over 20 examinations in Warsaw (Kolejowa Street) or Krakow (Kluczborska Street). Dr. Derhartunian ensures the procedure will be safe.
- HD Planning & Procedure: Dr. Victor personally designs your Wavefront profile. The procedure itself takes about 15 minutes and is painless (anesthetic drops).
- Freedom and L4: You receive sick leave, return home, and the next day at your check-up, you enjoy a new quality of life.
How much does FemtoLASIK cost?
FemtoLASIK: 11,000 PLN for both eyes (6,500 PLN for one eye). Wavefront variant with higher-order aberration correction: 12,800 PLN for both eyes.
- up to 5 years warranty on correction results
- first post-procedure checkup included in the package
- installment payment option (Santander Consumer Bank)
- qualification examination: 400 zł
How the FemtoLASIK Procedure Works – Step-by-Step
- Qualification examination (approx. 90 minutes): full corneal diagnostics and consultation with the doctor; the procedure takes place on a different day.
- Day of the procedure: topical anesthesia; femtosecond laser creates a thin corneal flap (approx. 20 seconds per eye).
- Correction: SCHWIND AMARIS 1050 RS excimer laser reshapes the cornea in a few to several seconds; the flap returns to its place without sutures.
- After the procedure: protective contact lens until the next day; return home with a companion, check-up the next day.
Recovery Day by Day
- First hours: tearing and light sensitivity – quickly subside.
- Next day: removal of protective lenses at the check-up; most patients already see clearly.
- 2–7 days: return to work, including computer work; avoid rubbing eyes, swimming pool, and sauna.
- First weeks: stabilization of vision; follow-up appointments as planned.
Safety and possible side effects – honestly
No surgical procedure is risk-free. After corneal flap procedures, temporary occurrences may include: dry eyes, fluctuations in vision, and night vision light effects (halo); very rarely – flap-related complications, which is why eyes must not be rubbed during the first few weeks. Serious complications are rare, and an individual risk assessment is presented during the qualification examination. If necessary, laser enhancement is possible under warranty.
Expert comment
“FemtoLASIK has been the gold standard for years: predictable, fast-healing, and extremely precise thanks to the AMARIS 1050 RS laser with 7D eye-tracking. As a SCHWIND reference center, we perform it using parameters that we co-develop in research.”
Dr. med. Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS – refractive surgeon, over 25,000 laser procedures
Most Frequent Patient Questions
Why doesn’t SwissLaser use a knife (microkeratome)?
Because light is more precise than steel. The femtosecond laser creates a flap with micron accuracy, drastically reducing the risk of complications and accelerating healing.
How do Santander installments (MediRaty) work at SwissLaser?
The process is stress-free. Formalities are handled on-site in 15 minutes or online. You only need an ID card to finance the procedure with convenient installments.
What is automatic cyclorotation and why is it important?
It’s a laser function that detects microscopic rotation of the eyeball when changing to a lying position. This is crucial for accurate astigmatism correction.
When can I return to sports?
Light jogging or cycling – after just one week. Contact sports (martial arts) and swimming/sauna require about a month’s break.
Can I have both eyes operated on at once?
Yes, this is the Swiss and global standard. It allows the brain to quickly adapt to the new quality of binocular vision.
What if I blink during the procedure due to nerves?
This is physically impossible. We use a gentle eyelid speculum. Additionally, the Eye-Tracker system monitors the eye 1000 times per second – if you move it, the laser will immediately and safely stop.
Where can I park at the clinic?
Both in Warsaw (Kolejowa Street, Wola) and Krakow (Kluczborska Street) we provide convenient parking options close to the clinic entrances.
Will I have dry eye syndrome after the procedure?
A temporary feeling of dryness is a natural stage of healing. We prescribe specialized moisturizing drops, and thanks to the “All-Laser” technology, this problem usually subsides quickly.
Does Dr. Victor Derhartunian examine and operate on patients himself?
Yes, as a SwissLaser patient, you are under the direct care of Dr. Derhartunian (FEBO, FWCRS), who personally supervises qualifications and performs procedures.
Why is Vertex centration so unique?
Most lasers center on the geometric center of the pupil. We center the beam on the visual axis (Vertex). This ensures that the correction profile precisely matches how your eye naturally looks.
For the curious: FemtoLASIK is LASIK with a flap cut by a femtosecond laser (instead of a mechanical microkeratome): a flap approximately 100–140 µm thick is lifted, the SCHWIND AMARIS excimer laser reshapes the corneal stroma, and the flap returns to its place without sutures. ICD-10 indications: H52.0 hyperopia, H52.1 myopia, H52.2 astigmatism; procedure: laser in situ keratomileusis.
Sources
- Sandoval HP, Donnenfeld ED, Kohnen T et al. Modern laser in situ keratomileusis outcomes. J Cataract Refract Surg 2016;42(8):1224–1234. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2016.07.012
- Shortt AJ, Allan BDS, Evans JR. Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) versus photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013;1:CD005135. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005135.pub3
- Kim TI, Alió Del Barrio JL, Wilkins M, Cochener B, Ang M. Refractive surgery. Lancet 2019;393(10185):2085–2098. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(18)33209-4
- Chuck RS, Jacobs DS, Lee JK et al. Refractive Errors & Refractive Surgery Preferred Practice Pattern. Ophthalmology 2018;125(1):P1–P104. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.10.003
- Randleman JB, Woodward M, Mayo MJ, Stulting RD. Risk assessment for ectasia after corneal refractive surgery. Ophthalmology 2008;115(1):37–50. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.03.073
- Toda I. Dry eye after LASIK. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2018;59(14):DES109–DES115. doi:10.1167/iovs.17-23538
- SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions. SCHWIND ATOS and SCHWIND AMARIS – manufacturer documentation (CE). eye-tech-solutions.com
Related topics
- Secondary correction after previous surgery
- compare with the flapless SmartSight Nova method
- laser vision correction price list
- Qualification for Laser Eye Correction – criteria, contraindications, examination
FemtoLASIK in Practice
Content fact-checked by Dr. med. univ. (Vienna) Victor Derhartunian, FEBO, FWCRS – refractive surgery specialist. Last verified: October 2, 2026.
Where do we perform FemtoLASIK?
We perform the FemtoLASIK procedure in both our clinics in Poland — qualification, procedure, and post-operative check-ups take place on-site:
- Laser vision correction in Warsaw — ul. Kolejowa 1
- Laser vision correction in Krakow — ul. Kluczborska 15/U3
