Ophthalmology in Cyprus

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Medically trained doctors who care for patients who have eye and vision conditions are called ophthalmologists and are the only practitioners diagnosed and trained to treat all eye and vision problems. Their practice is very diverse, dealing with a wide range of issues and clinical conditions. Some of the most common conditions that they treat and manage include:

• Minor and major eye injuries
• Infectious eye disease
• Dry eyes
• Proptosis (bulged eyes)
• Glaucoma 
• Cataracts 
• Corneal pathology 
• Retinal problems, such as bleeding and detachment or tears of the retina
• Squints 
• Eye-related neurological problems
• Excessive tearing
• Intraocular inflammation
• Chronic eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

An ophthalmologist can offer a wide range of medical services, including surgical eye procedures. Some of the most common procedures that ophthalmologists perform are as follows:

• Eye examinations.
• Specialized tests, such as ultrasonography of the eyes and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Refractive surgery to correct vision, such as LASIK.
• Cataract surgery.
• Glaucoma surgery.
• Cancer treatment.
• Reconstructive surgery to repair birth abnormalities or trauma, such as crossed eyes.
• Neoplasm removal.
• Corneal transplants.
• Repairing torn or detached retinas.
• Strabismus surgery.
• Oculoplastic surgery (plastic surgery around the eye).
• Prescribing and fitting glasses and contact lenses.

How Long Should I Stay in Cyprus?

Your length of stay depends on the type of treatment you undergo. In general, you may need to stay in Cyprus for at least a week or to let your eyes recover and to attend follow-up checkups, where your ophthalmologist checks your condition and make sure that your eyes are healing properly. If everything is fine, they will allow you to leave for home. However, for some surgery, such as retinal detachment surgery, you should avoid flying until your eyes have fully healed. Therefore, it is best that you wait 3 to 4 weeks, sometimes even longer, before you travel home.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time depends on the type of surgery you underwent, your age, and overall health. It is generally recommended to rest your eyes for a few days. With LASIK, you may be able to return to work after a day. After a corneal transplant, you should wait for 2 to 3 weeks until you go back to work. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your ophthalmologist will give you instructions to care for your eye after the procedure. It is crucial that you follow all of them to have a quick recovery and obtain optimum results. To keep the result or to prevent complications, you will need to make some lifestyle changes, such as avoid smoking and staying active. You also need to attend regular checkups, typically once a year, with your local eye doctor or your ophthalmologist in Cyprus.

What's the Success Rate?

Thanks to the continuous advancement of ophthalmology, eye treatments, and surgeries are now highly successful and safe. For instance, the latest research of LASIK showed that it has a 99% success rate in achieving 20/40 vision or better, whereas the success rate of corneal transplant is as high as 90%. However, it is important to be aware of the risks and side effects of eye treatments and surgeries, such as dry eyes, temporary visual problems, overcorrections, under correction, astigmatism, regression, and, very rarely, vision loss.

Are there Alternatives?

For some eye problems, you may be able to go to an optometrist as an alternative. However, if your conditions need to be treated through surgery, your optometrist will refer you to an ophthalmologist.

Ophthalmology in and around Cyprus

Cyprus is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea. The country is famous for its mineral wealth, splendid wines, dazzling beaches, and compelling culture. In addition, Cyprus is filled with classical ruins and century-old monasteries, and as the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, it is also steeped in mythology. Due to its huge array of modern private medical centers equipped with excellent service, cutting-edge technology, and skilled doctors, Cyprus is also a thriving medical tourism destination. Foreign patients from all around the globe come to this country for a vast range of medical treatments, particularly bariatric surgery, cardiology, cosmetic and plastic surgery, and fertility treatments. Its spa and well-being resorts are also welcoming an increasing number of international medical tourists.

Popular Parts of Cyprus

The majority of tourists start their trip to Cyprus in Larnaca, it is the oldest city in Cyprus. It has a vast array of historical monuments, including Ayios Lazaros (the Church of Saint Lazarus), Stavrovouni Monastery, and Larnaca Medieval Castle. Besides its ancient buildings, Mackenzie Beach and Larnaca Marina are also popular among tourists. Not too far from Larnaca is Paphos, a charming city with exquisite natural beauty and all sorts of ancient ruins. The most popular attractions in this city include the Tombs of the Kings, the Old Town, Early Christian Basilica-St Paul’s Pillar, and Paphos UNESCO Archaeological Park. Nicosia, Cyprus’ capital, is also a popular destination.

Weather and Climate in Cyprus

Cyprus experiences a Mediterranean climate with four seasons and over 300 days of sunshine a year. The summer is long, warm, and dry, lasting from mid-May to mid-October. The winter starts in December and ends in February, bringing mild temperatures and more rain showers. Autumn and spring are short, but there is good weather.

Getting around in Cyprus

The main international gateway to Cyprus is Larnaca International airport. It serves international flights to many cities around Europe and the Middle East, including Kyiv, Abu Dhabi, London, and Moscow. In the south, the intercity bus system is reliable and great, but in the north, the bus services are often unreliable and do not seem to follow a timetable. Taxis are a safe and relatively inexpensive option. In the south, there are three types of taxi services: urban, trans-urban or interurban (shared and can be booked), and rural. In the north, taxis are only available in the main towns. Inside towns, buses are the best way to get around for those looking for a more affordable option. Taxis are more expensive, but they do offer more flexibility.

Tourist Visas in Cyprus

Nationals of EU countries, the United States, Australia, Canada, Britain, Iceland, Japan, and several other countries do not need a visa to visit and stay in Cyprus for up to 90 days. Other countries not listed in the visa-free agreement need to apply for a visa before entering Cyprus. It is best to consult the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs or contact the embassy to learn more about visa requirements. 

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The euro (€) has been the official currency of Cyprus since 1 January 2008. The exchange rate from €1 is approximately US$1.17.​​​​​​
2. Money & Payments: It is easy to find reliable ATMs in large towns and tourist areas. Major credit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard, are widely accepted in larger restaurants, shops, and hotels. However, if you plan to go to smaller towns or villages, it is best to ensure you have cash. Tipping is expected most of the time. Tip at least 10% of the bill, and at least 5% or round up to the nearest euro for taxi drivers.
3. Local Language: Around 80% of Cypriots speak Greek as their first language, while Turkish is spoken by 10% of the population. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. 
4. Local Culture and Religion: The main religion of Cyprus is Greek Orthodox, but Islam is the most prominent religion in the north.
5. Public holidays: Some of the most celebrated holidays in Cyprus include Ohi Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Epiphany, Clean Monday, Cyprus National Day, and Independence Day.