Life without glasses is great
Taking a trip abroad to visit significant landmarks or enjoy good food is not uncommon. However, in recent years, the phenomenon of medical tourism has been on the rise, also involving the Czech Republic. Foreigners come here primarily for reproductive medicine, plastic surgeries, and eye operations.
Eye surgeries in the Czech Republic are not as expensive as in other countries, and the quality of care often exceeds that found abroad. The majority of foreigners undergoing eye surgeries (up to 70 percent) come from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany. There is also significant demand from the Nordic countries. Currently, foreign clientele accounts for about 15 percent of patients at Eye Centre Prague.
'Foreigners most frequently travel for refractive lens exchange and cataract surgeries with trifocal lens implantation. International clients specifically require implants that will free them from dependence on glasses, even in advanced age,' explains Adam Janek, Director of Eye Centre Prague.
The vast majority of these individuals are over 50 years old and often combine their surgical procedures with sightseeing in Prague or other Czech cities.
When it comes to healthcare, the Czech Republic generally has a good reputation in Europe. Especially ophthalmology is at a high, world-class level here.
"The problem with cataract surgeries in the UK, for example, is the long waiting time within the National Health Service (NHS), which can currently be up to two years. Moreover, NHS patients are not allowed to pay extra for a better implant, so they turn to private providers, where high costs are an issue. In the Czech Republic, prices are a third of those in the UK, and clients are guaranteed an appointment within one month," says Adam Janek, adding that affordability is also important for foreign clients.
Foreign patients appreciate the quick connection to Prague—flights from London take about two hours, with multiple flights daily. "An undeniable advantage is Prague's location in the heart of Europe, making it accessible by both car and air. Direct flights from European countries take one to three hours. The influx of these clients also benefits tourism in the Czech Republic, as they generate additional revenue in areas like accommodation, dining in restaurants, shopping, and utilizing tourist services. Prague is especially attractive as a destination since clients can combine medical treatment with a visit to one of the most beautiful places in the world," says Tamara Ždiňáková from Beauty in Prague.
The COVID-19 pandemic completely halted travel for various surgeries, both here and worldwide. However, it has now returned to pre-COVID levels, and the market continues to grow.
"We are pleased with the interest in our clinic from abroad, but we primarily remain accessible to Czech insured patients—we have contracts with all health insurance companies and perform nearly 10,000 surgeries annually," concludes Adam Janek.
There are agencies that specialize in so-called medical tourism. "As a medical tourism agency, we provide clients with complete service from the first contact through their recovery and return home. In addition to communicating the details of their surgery, we also organize accommodation, airport transfers, and transportation within Prague, assist with obtaining travel documents, and provide accompaniment to examinations, surgeries, and follow-ups. Our healthcare coordinators handle all client requests, even on weekends. Client satisfaction is our top priority," explains Tamara Ždiňáková from Beauty in Prague.
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