Sight is one of the senses we use almost every day. Enjoying the sunrise, watching a movie, reading or being alert to any danger is something we assume as natural. That is why when vision is damaged, whether by disease, accident or old age, it is imperative to find a solution.
 
In Cuba, there is an ophthalmologic care program that provides personalized treatment to the characteristics of each patient and has the experience and quality of the professionals who carry it out. In addition, the country is a destination of remarkable scenic and cultural values, where the human being is the most important thing. 

Dr. Osvaldo Héctor Ardisana, a specialist at the Central Sales Office of Comercializadora de Servicios Médicos Cubanos, S. A., tells Destino Salud that “ophthalmologic surgeries on the island include those performed to treat retinitis pigmentosa (a disease with a high genetic component that leads to progressive blindness) and conventional surgeries: corneal transplants, cataract, refractive, glaucoma and retinal surgeries, among others. 

“In order to access these programs, people must contact the Central de Tramitación y Coordinación los Servicios Médicos Cubanos (Cuban Medical Services Processing and Coordination Center) by e-mail: smc@smcsalud.cu.

“The process of processing cases is standard, whether the patient contacts us directly, through the Cuban embassy in that country, through the groups of Friendship and Solidarity with the Island, or through the commercial entities we have in the territories,” the specialist points out. 

“We guide those who contact us to obtain the necessary information about the type of service they are looking for and the real availability to carry it out. We also instruct them as to prices, the conditions necessary for travel and the number of days they will be staying in the country. 

Dr. Leonel Ramos Bello, second-degree ophthalmology specialist at the Pando Ferrer Ophthalmology Hospital, one of the medical centers that provide this service, clarifies that “the stay in the country depends on the pathology. For example, in cataract surgery -one of the most frequently performed-the stay can be from one week to ten days, if the person does not have to undergo another procedure. In the case of refractive surgery (to correct myopia, presbyopia, astigmatism...) the treatment and recovery times are different.

“There is a whole organization in the processes, which allows the patient to arrive in Cuba with a diagnosis of the ailment that afflicts him or her,” Dr. Ramos Bello adds.

“They must send the results of the tests performed in their countries of residence by e-mail. These are forwarded to the doctors of the different subspecialties. After analyzing the tests, the doctors issue an assessment whether it is possible to carry out the procedure the person is requesting, and what the treatment to follow would be.”

The Cuban ophthalmologic program has years of experience obtained with Operation Miracle, where thousands of patients from Latin America and the Caribbean have undergone surgery with excellent results, which certifies Cuba as a safe destination to receive the treatment.

In addition, regardless of social stratum or country of origin, everyone receives cordial treatment and care that meets high standards of medical quality. 

Revista Destino Salud