Life without glasses is great
Travel is no longer just about relaxing by the sea or exploring historical landmarks. An increasing number of people are planning trips abroad with another goal in mind – to address a health issue or undergo a procedure that would either involve months of waiting or cost significantly more in their home country. The phenomenon known as medical tourism is growing rapidly across Europe, and the Czech Republic is becoming an increasingly sought-after destination. Alongside reproductive medicine and plastic surgery, eye surgery is also gaining popularity among international patients.
Just as Czech patients travel to Turkey for hair transplants or cosmetic procedures, to Poland for dental treatment, or to Hungary for spa treatments, international patients are coming to the Czech Republic for high-quality ophthalmology, reproductive medicine and plastic surgery. Medical tourism has become an established part of the travel industry, combining high-quality healthcare with the opportunity to discover a new destination.
Prague offers a unique combination in this respect – modern healthcare, excellent transport connections and an attractive tourist environment. Patients often extend their stay by several days, combining their medical procedure with visits to Prague’s historic city centre, restaurants and cultural landmarks. A typical medical tourist is over 50 and combines their procedure with a few days spent exploring Prague.
“Most of our international patients come to us for eye surgery from the United Kingdom, followed by Ireland and Germany, while demand from the Nordic countries is also increasing. Today, international patients account for approximately 15% of our clients at OCP. The most common procedures are refractive lens exchange and cataract surgery with trifocal lens implantation. International patients often choose implants that can reduce their dependence on glasses even later in life while also correcting refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism,” explains Adam Janek, Director of Oční centrum Praha (OCP).
One of the main reasons international patients choose Czech clinics is the excellent price-to-quality ratio. Czech ophthalmology enjoys a strong reputation across Europe, and patients value not only modern technology and experienced specialists but also the short waiting times for procedures.
“For example, in the United Kingdom, patients may wait up to two years for cataract surgery within the public healthcare system. If they want a higher-quality intraocular lens, they have to turn to private clinics, where prices can be several times higher. In the Czech Republic, the procedure can usually be performed within one month, while the cost is approximately one third of the price,” says Adam Janek.
| Procedure | Czech Republic | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Refractive lens exchange – both eyes with trifocal lens implantation, including examination | CZK 90,000 | CZK 250,000 |
| ReLEx SMILE laser vision correction, including examination | CZK 50,000 | CZK 150,000 |
| Breast augmentation with anatomical implants – average price | CZK 90,000 | CZK 260,000 |
| IVF cycle using donor eggs – average price | CZK 95,000 | CZK 270,000 |
| Abdominoplasty – tummy tuck | CZK 70,000 | CZK 200,000 |
Czech ophthalmology is renowned for its combination of high-level medical expertise, modern technology and a high standard of patient care. International patients appreciate not only the affordability of treatment but also personalised care and comprehensive support throughout their treatment journey.
“At OCP, we provide the entire treatment process within what we call a ‘surgery week’, meaning everything takes place within just five days – from the initial examination, scheduling and preparation of a customised implant to surgery on both eyes and the post-operative check-up,” says Adam Janek.
“In cooperation with our partner agency, we can also arrange flights, welcome patients at the airport and organise transfers from the airport or between the clinic and their accommodation,” he adds.
The growth of medical tourism benefits not only healthcare providers but also the Czech economy. International patients use hotels, restaurants, transport and other tourism services during their stay.
Increasingly, the entire journey is organised by specialised agencies that assist patients with transport, accommodation, interpreting services and follow-up care. This makes the entire process comfortable and straightforward for international clients.
In the field of medical tourism, Oční centrum Praha cooperates with Beauty in Prague. Their many years of experience show that international patients, particularly those from the United Kingdom, often approach medical procedures differently.
“For international clients, travelling abroad for healthcare is quite normal, and they often see the procedure as part of a trip. They arrive relaxed and without unnecessary stress, often accompanied by family or friends. From the moment they arrive at the clinic, they want to talk to us and get to know the people taking care of them. They trust us, look forward to the results and to improving their quality of life after surgery,” says Tamara Ždiňáková, Director of Beauty in Prague, describing her experience with international patients.
Thanks to its high standard of healthcare, convenient location and competitive prices, the Czech Republic has all the prerequisites to further strengthen its position as one of Europe’s leading destinations for medical tourism.
Eye surgery is one of the fields where this trend is particularly evident. More and more patients are discovering that travelling abroad for better vision can also be an opportunity to enjoy a memorable stay in Prague.
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