Dr. med. Arthur Hammer

Dr. Arthur Hammer is an FMH ophthalmologist in Lausanne, specializing in corneal surgery, cataract surgery, and laser refractive surgery. He consults at Swiss Visio Montchoisi, avenue du Servan 38, 1006 Lausanne, and performs surgeries at Clinique de Montchoisi. He holds an MD-PhD, is FEBO (Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology) and FEBOS-CR certified, with a European sub-specialization in cornea and refractive surgery. His surgical training was conducted at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, followed by Jules Gonin Eye Hospital in Lausanne. He is currently a trainer within the Swiss Visio network.

Appointments with Dr. Arthur Hammer in Lausanne can be booked online via the OneDoc platform, accessible from this website, or by phone through the Swiss Visio Montchoisi secretariat. Direct access to the ophthalmic surgeon is possible without a referral from a family doctor, even for those insured under HMO, family doctor, or Telmed models. Ophthalmology is explicitly exempt by all Swiss LAMal insurers, similar to gynecology.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specializing in eyes and vision, trained in the diagnosis and medical treatment of ocular pathologies. An ophthalmic surgeon, or eye surgeon, is an ophthalmologist who has completed advanced surgical training and performs eye operations: cataract, refractive surgery (LASIK, SMILE, PRK), corneal grafts, ICL implants, or surgical treatment for keratoconus. Not all ophthalmologists in Lausanne are surgeons. The FMH title in ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery, held by Dr. Arthur Hammer, attests to this dual competence recognized by the Swiss Medical Association.

The FMH (Foederatio Medicorum Helveticorum) title is the Swiss specialist title, validated after at least six years of postgraduate training in ophthalmology and ophthalmic surgery in accredited institutions. The MD-PhD combines a medical doctorate and a scientific research doctorate, certifying training in clinical research. The FEBO (Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology) is a benchmark European examination in ophthalmology. The FEBOS-CR is the European sub-specialization in cornea and refractive surgery, obtained through an additional examination. These four combined titles are rare in French-speaking Switzerland and guarantee internationally recognized expertise.

Le CertLRS (Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery) certifie une expertise spécifique dans les techniques de chirurgie réfractive au laser. Le PGDip-CRS (Postgraduate Diploma in Cataract and Refractive Surgery) est un diplôme universitaire postgrade attestant d’une formation avancée en chirurgie de la cataracte et réfractive. Le FWCRS (Fellowship of the World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences) est une distinction internationale reconnaissant une expertise et une contribution de haut niveau dans le domaine de la chirurgie réfractive et des sciences visuelles. Ces différents titres et qualifications, rarement réunis en Suisse romande, témoignent d’une expertise reconnue internationalement en ophtalmologie, chirurgie de la cataracte et chirurgie réfractive.

Dr. Arthur Hammer performs all refractive, cataract, and corneal surgeries in Lausanne:

• Cataract surgery : phacoemulsification with monofocal, toric (astigmatism), or multifocal implants
• Laser refractive surgery : LASIK, SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction), PRK, Presby-LASIK for presbyopia
• Phakic ICL/IPCL implants for high myopia and hyperopia not eligible for laser surgery
• Corneal transplants : DMEK, DSAEK, DALK, and penetrating keratoplasty
• Keratoconus treatment : corneal cross-linking, intracorneal rings
• Pterygium surgery and ocular surface

The initial consultation with Dr. Arthur Hammer at Swiss Visio Montchoisi lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the reason for the visit. It includes a comprehensive medical history, measurement of refraction and intraocular pressure, a slit-lamp examination, and, depending on the indication, specialized imaging tests: corneal topography, anterior segment or optic nerve OCT tomography, and optical biometry for implant calculation. At the end of the consultation, a diagnosis is made, and therapeutic options are explained. No surgical decision is made during the first consultation: a reflection period and a quote are systematically provided before any informed consent.

Yes. Keratoconus, a progressive deformation and thinning of the cornea primarily affecting adolescents and young adults, is one of Dr. Arthur Hammer's sub-specialties. He holds the FEBOS-CR in cornea. Several surgical treatments are available in Lausanne depending on the stage:

• Corneal cross-linking (CXL) to stabilize progression in early stages
• PRK personnalisée guidée par la topographie cornéenne combinée avec le CXL pour régulariser la surface cornéenne et améliorer la vision tout en limitant la progression du kératocône
• Intracorneal rings to regularize the cornea and improve vision
• Phakic ICL lenses or correction with glasses/rigid contact lenses, depending on the case
• Corneal transplant (DALK or penetrating keratoplasty) for advanced stages

Keratoconus is an absolute contraindication to LASIK: a pre-operative topographic assessment is systematically performed before any refractive surgery to rule out subclinical keratoconus.

No. Laser refractive surgery in Lausanne requires several conditions: a minimum age of 20 to 21 years, stable vision correction for at least one year, absence of keratoconus or excessively thin corneas, absence of severe dry eye, uncontrolled glaucoma, significant cataracts, or progressive retinal disease. Pregnancy and breastfeeding temporarily contraindicate the procedure. A comprehensive pre-operative assessment (topography, pachymetry, pupillometry, OCT) determines the optimal technique among LASIK, SMILE, and PRK. In case of a contraindication to laser surgery, phakic ICL/IPCL implants are a validated alternative for high refractive errors. All these examinations are performed at Swiss Visio Montchoisi.