Rapid Expansion of the Eye Surgery Chain: the Clinic Opened Its Door in Oslo

LIREMA, the chain of eye surgery clinics successfully operating in the Lithuanian and Scandinavian markets for more than 20 years, provides laser vision correction, cataract, eyelid lift, strabismus, vitrectomy, etc. operations and consultations, opened modern premises in Oslo, Norway in February.

According to Mindaugas Socevičius, the manager of the Lirema Eye Clinic chain, the clinics that meet the needs of patients in Scandinavia – Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö, Uppsala and Copenhagen – have shown that the relevance of the laser eye surgery service is growing year by year.

“Every year, we receive more and more patients complaining about vision problems, with nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, for whom good vision can be restored in just a few minutes with the laser vision surgery procedure, which is why it was decided to establish a brand new clinic in Norway as well,” says the manager.

The greatest motivation and appreciation are happy patients who, after tiring years of wearing glasses or contact lenses, as soon as they get up from the bed for the procedure, are happy and cannot believe that the discomfort is finally over.

“Seeing the feedback we receive both live and on independent review platforms in Lithuania and Scandinavia, we ensure the highest level of services at an affordable price. This is also evidenced by new patients who come after the recommendations of friends or relatives who have visited us,” M. Socevičius shares his experience.

Investments that pay off

Both in Lithuania and abroad, depending on the health condition of the patient’s eyes, lifestyle and needs, the chain of eye clinics offers patients all the most popular laser eye surgery methods in the world.

“In close cooperation with such leading laser manufacturers as Carl Zeiss, Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems, and SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions, we can provide our patients with extremely safe, state-of-the-art technology and hands-on services by highly experienced microsurgeons,” – clarifies the manager.

According to M. Socevičius, the constant development of specialists, analysis of the quality of service provision and continuous investments in updating the technologies used for daily work are the main factors determining the success of operations.

“In 2022, we invested about 2 million euros in the latest technologies, our specialists traveled to internships and gained experience from the best professionals in their fields in various countries of the world, we accepted 25% of more patients than the year before – we analyzed the experience, did our homework, and the decisions we made allow us to further improve our operations,” says the manager.

Ability to compete in the global market

Searching for opportunities, establishing oneself and setting ambitious goals in the market of the host country strengthens the general position of the business and creates conditions for a new review of the existing business model.

“Although the countries are next to each other, the markets and principles of how people consume, how much they are willing to spend on services, how they receive information, and what they expect can be radically different. This forces you to rethink strategies and, where you are already established, to make the best decisions so that the patient is particularly comfortable using the service and remains satisfied,” assures M. Socevičius.

When creating additional value and constantly investing in the development of innovations in the market, the overall quality of market services is also improved, market participants try to keep up, stretch themselves, adjust the range of services or expand opportunities.

“We are happy to have a strong international team that works every day for a common goal – providing services in a way that not only meets but exceeds the patient’s expectations, surprises with innovation and openness, leaves with a smile and sets an example for others,” concludes M. Socevičius.

In 2003 LIREMA Eye Clinic chain started its operations in Vilnius, gradually expanded the range of services in Kaunas, Klaipėda and Šiauliai and became the leading eye clinic in Lithuania. In 2015 established a clinic in Sweden, Stockholm, later opened a second clinic in the city of Malmö, southern Sweden. In 2019 clinics were established in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Copenhagen, Denmark, and in 2023 an office in Uppsala and a clinic in Oslo, Norway, opened their doors.

The network of clinics has been evaluated by awards as one of the most successfully operating, most reliable, economically stable and responsible in the Baltic States. Lirema’s activities are confirmed every year by the “TOP company” and “Strongest in Lithuania” awards – business reliability certificates recognized in the Baltic region, proving the company’s high credit rating and the company’s contribution to the creation of a transparent economic future.

More than 300,000 patients have already used the clinic’s services. Last year, the network generated more than 17 million euros in revenue, and currently, around 200 employees work in ten clinics in the network.