Ophthalmology in Madrid

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 Madrid?

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

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 Madrid

About Madrid

Madrid is the capital and most populous city in Spain and the city continues to charm its visitors with glorious fashion, amazing food, and lively nightlife. Beyond its culture and beauty, Madrid is also a convenient medical tourism destination, particularly for residents of Western Europe. Many of the best JCI-accredited and high-quality hospitals in Spain are located within this city and these hospitals are well-regarded for high standards, both in terms of staff and facilities. The doctors and medical professionals are highly trained and will make sure to give you the best of care. Furthermore, the city has one of the most affordable healthcare systems on the continent. Popular treatments include orthopedic surgery, dental treatments, and general checkups. Infertility treatments are particularly popular and are attracting medical tourists from all over Europe.  

Popular Parts of Madrid

From amazing masterpieces, upbeat nightlife, amazing local cuisine, to beautiful architecture, there’s plenty to see in Madrid. The most popular area is Plaza Mayor, which is the city’s main square where visitors can stroll around its winding streets to find many churches and tapas bars. This area will give insights into the city’s royal history and architecture. The most popular sites around the plaza are Ayuntamiento and San Pedro. Those who want to learn more about Madrid’s culture should visit the Prado Museum. It is one of the most amazing art galleries in the world displaying the works by the great European masters, such as Raphael, Bosch, Rubens, Goya, and Velázquez. On sunny days, people usually go to El Retiro Park to unwind and relax. 

Transport in Madrid

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is the main airport in Madrid and is the second-largest airport by physical size in Europe. It serves both domestic and international flights to and from numerous major cities around the world. Getting around in Madrid is fairly easy since the city has an effective public transport system. The best way to get around is by the metro, which has an extensive network and will take visitors almost everywhere around the city. Buses are a great option as well, and metered taxis are widely available. 

Visas in Madrid

As a member of the Schengen Area, Spain allows citizens of 62 countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia, to visit and stay without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are required to apply for a visa to be able to enter Madrid and It is highly advisable to check at your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate for the requirements.

Weather in Madrid

Spring (March-May) is one of the wettest times in the city, but it does offer pleasant weather. Autumn (September – October) is also quite pleasant, with the average temperatures hovering around 15°C. Summer (June – August) can be very hot, with the temperatures rising to 37°C on the hottest days. Winter is chilly, with the average temperature dropping to 8°C.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The Euro is the currency and 1 EUR is equivalent to approx. 1.12 USD.
2. Money & Payments: It’s easy to find ATMs in Madrid and credit cards are widely accepted. In some areas, tipping can be expected.
3. Local Language: The official language is Spanish and many people speak good English.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The largest religion is Christianity. However, other religions, such as Islam and Judaism, are also widely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: New Year's Day, Day of Murcia, and Christmas Day are some of the most celebrated holidays in the city.