In the history of global ophthalmology, there are moments that redefine clinical practice—turning points that set standards for decades. One such milestone was the method developed by Tadeusz Krwawicz: cryoextraction of cataract.
First published in 1961 in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, this technique became the dominant surgical method for cataract treatment worldwide for the next 20 years. It was a rare case: a solution developed 65 years ago in post-war Poland became a global standard. The anniversary of this milestone is being marked now.
Freezing to Restore Vision
The essence of the method was as simple as it was ingenious. It involved using extremely low temperatures to “freeze” the eye’s lens, allowing it to be removed safely and in one piece, with minimal risk of complications.
– “It was truly a revolutionary approach to cataract surgery,” emphasizes Robert Rejdak, Head of the Department of General Ophthalmology at the Medical University of Lublin. – “The lens turned into a compact, frozen structure, which made it possible to remove it without causing additional damage to the surrounding tissues.”
In today’s era of ultrasound and femtosecond lasers, this may sound like a technique from another age. Yet it is often precisely such “simple” ideas that prove to be the most transformative.
Lublin as a Global Ophthalmology Hub
In the 1960s and 1970s, Lublin became one of the key centers of ophthalmology worldwide. Physicians from across Europe and the United States traveled to the clinic on Chmielna Street to learn the new technique firsthand.
– “Ophthalmologists from all over the world came to Lublin to learn this method directly from Professor Krwawicz,” recalls Prof. Rejdak. – “It was a moment when our center gained true international recognition.”
These were not merely symbolic visits. It was in Lublin that practical expertise was shaped—knowledge that would later spread to clinics across the globe.
Twenty Years as a Global Standard
Cryoextraction was no fleeting innovation. For two decades, it remained the primary method of cataract surgery. Only with the development of newer technologies—particularly phacoemulsification—did it gradually fall out of routine use.
– “It was the globally accepted technique for around 20 years. Even today, in selected cases, it is still occasionally used,” notes Prof. Rejdak.
In medicine, longevity of this kind is the ultimate proof of effectiveness.
The Foundation of the Lublin School of Ophthalmology
Professor Krwawicz’s impact extended far beyond a single surgical technique. He laid the groundwork for an entire school of ophthalmology, whose influence continues to this day.
– “He can be regarded as the founder of the Lublin school of ophthalmology,” says Prof. Rejdak. – “He created not only a method, but also the infrastructure and the foundations for the development of our center.”
The clinical base at Chmielna Street—expanded and modernized over the years—remains a leading center for advanced diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
From Cryotherapy to Lasers
Although cryoextraction is now largely of historical importance, its underlying philosophy endures. Many contemporary techniques—from refractive surgery to laser-based procedures—build upon concepts first introduced by Krwawicz.
– “Today’s technologies implement ideas that Professor Krwawicz developed using entirely different tools,” Prof. Rejdak observes. – The instruments have changed; the conceptual framework remains.
A Legacy That Endures
Lublin ophthalmology continues to play an active role in the global exchange of knowledge. Today, it is not only a place where others once came to learn—it is a center that exports expertise, trains specialists, and develops new therapies.
The story of Professor Krwawicz demonstrates something more: groundbreaking ideas do not always emerge from the world’s largest metropolitan centers. Sometimes they are born where someone simply has the courage to think differently—and the determination to see that vision through.
And Lublin? It has already proven that it can set global ophthalmology on a new course. There is little indication that it has said its last word.
Jolanta Czudak
