Ophthalmology in Lebanon

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 Lebanon?

Your length of stay depends on the type of treatment you undergo. In general, you may need to stay in Lebanon 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 Lebanon.

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 Lebanon

Lebanon, a country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the smallest sovereign states. The country boasts a fascinating mixture of the Middle East and the West, Christianity, and Islam, and tradition and modernity. It has everything from golden beaches and World Heritage Sites to energetic nightlife and delicious cuisine. Among other countries in the Middle East, Lebanon appears to be one of the most popular medical tourism destinations. Over 10% of the tourists visiting the country, particularly from neighboring countries, come to receive medical care. Many hospitals and clinics in the country are accredited to the ISO:9000 standard and offer world-class specialist services in spine treatment, orthopedics, organ transplant, and other complex surgeries, as well as advanced cancer treatments. Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery are also popular.

Popular Parts of Lebanon

Beirut, the capital and largest city of Lebanon, is filled with historic landmarks and natural wonders. The most famous attractions in the city are the National Museum of Beirut, the Corniche and Pigeon Rocks, Sursock Museum, and Mohammed Al Amin Mosque. Many people also come to Lebanon to visit the port town of Sidon. Once a rich and thriving Phoenician city, it is dotted with historical monuments and ancient remnants, particularly in its Old City. Other popular cities include Tripoly, Baalbek, Byblos, and Tyre.

Weather and Climate in Lebanon

Lebanon has four seasons: winter (December to March), spring (April to May), summer (June to September), and autumn (October to November). Winter is the rainy season with high precipitation levels and cool temperatures. It is snowy in the mountains, but in some places, such as Beirut, it just rains during this season. Summer is hot, sunny, and dry, and can get very humid in cities located close to the sea. In the summer, the average temperatures are around 28°C to 30°C. Spring and autumn are both warm and pleasant. 

Getting around in Lebanon

The main international airport where visitors fly into and out of Lebanon is Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport, which is the only operational commercial airport in the country. It serves international flights to numerous major cities across Europe and the Middle East, including Moscow, Paris, London, and Dubai. Given the small size of the country, there are no internal flights. Intercity buses and minibus are available and have an extensive network, especially in coastal areas. The best way to get around the country is by hiring a car (with a driver) or by using intercity taxis. 

Tourist Visas in Lebanon

All visitors need to obtain a visa to enter and stay in Lebanon unless they come from one of the seven visa-exempt countries (including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan). Citizens of 81 countries, including all EU countries, Australia, China, Canada, and the United States, are eligible for a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days. A conditional visa on arrival is available for citizens of 15 countries, including Algeria, Libya, Iraq, and Yemen. 

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Lebanese Pound (LBP) is the official currency in Lebanon. 1 USD is equivalent to around 1,507 LBP. US dollars and the euro is widely accepted as well.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available in many places around Beirut and other large cities. Many ATMs dispense both US dollars and Lebanese pounds. Credit cards, particularly Visa and MasterCard, are accepted at most major establishments. Tipping can be expected, usually around 10% to 15% of the bill. 
3. Local Language: Arabic is the official language in Lebanon. English and French are widely spoken as well, and many Lebanese can speak at least two to three languages.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Islam (around 60% of the population) and Christianity (around 34%) are the primary religions in Lebanon. About 5% of Lebanese practice the Druze faith, while other religions are practiced by the remaining 1% of the population.
5. Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, All Saints’ Day, Resistance and Liberation Day, as well as Independence Day are some of the more important holidays in Lebanon.