OPHTHALMOLOGY
Ophthalmology is the medical specialty that deals with eye care.
An ophthalmologist is a medical professional who diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs surgeries, and prescribes and fits glasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems.
At the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center, we care about the visual health of each of our patients and actively participate in scientific research into the causes and cures of eye diseases and visual disorders.
SUPER SPECIALTIES
Supraspecialties are specific areas for treating specific pathologies. This additional knowledge of ophthalmologists prepares them to handle specific situations in certain areas and with certain patient groups. At the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center, we treat the following specialties:
The patient's first contact with the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center is with the Comprehensive Ophthalmology specialty.
In this space, patients receive their initial consultation and subsequent care. It also offers optometry services to assess refractive problems.
In each case, an electronic file is opened in the database. It includes the patient's personal information, complete medical history, and a comprehensive optometric and ophthalmological examination. This includes visual acuity, refraction, cycloplegia refraction, biomicroscopic examination, and additional special studies when required.
Cataracts are the leading cause of reversible acquired blindness worldwide. This condition is treated at the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center in the Anterior Segment specialty, whose primary focus is providing comprehensive care to ophthalmology patients.
Inside the human eye there is a transparent natural lens, known as the crystalline lens, which has the function of carrying images to the retina for subsequent interpretation in the brain. When it becomes cloudy, the disease known as cataract occurs.
Due to the importance and frequency of this type of ocular pathology, which has a serious impact, preventing patients from carrying out their normal activities, the ophthalmologist's knowledge of the most current surgical techniques for cataract treatment is a primary objective of the Virgilio Galvis Ophthalmology Center.
The supra-specialty called retina and vitreous works on the retina, which is a light-sensitive tissue located on the inner surface of the eye; it is like a screen where images are projected.
Light striking the retina triggers chemical and electrical reactions that are converted into nerve impulses that travel to the brain through the optic nerve. The retina has a very complex structure, composed of several layers of neurons interconnected by synapses.
Light-sensitive cells are identified as rods and cones. Rods function in low-light conditions and provide us with black and white vision, while cones, however, are adapted to bright light and provide us with color vision.
The vitreous humor is a transparent, gelatinous liquid that occupies the space between the inner surface of the retina and the posterior surface of the lens. It is denser than the aqueous humor, and unlike the latter, it is not renewed throughout life. It is found in the space between the lens and the cornea. The vitreous humor helps maintain the shape of the eye and provides a uniform surface for the retina so that images can be received clearly.
These small organs of the eye are sometimes affected by conditions that can be serious and cause various discomforts, visual impairment, and even blindness in the patient.
In our case, one of these conditions is very common: diabetic retinopathy, and another known as retinal detachment, which is often caused by accidents. The high incidence of these very specific conditions is the reason for our existence and activity as a supra-specialty of ophthalmology.
The supraspecialty of pediatric ophthalmology specializes in children's vision problems. Therefore, the prevention and early detection of eye diseases in childhood is very important. A child's visual acuity improves from birth.
At age 3, visual acuity reaches 50%, rising to 100% at age 5. Therefore, the first years of life, up to age 7 or 8, are crucial for proper visual development. During this period, it is essential to detect abnormalities that impede normal visual development and abnormalities that, if not detected early, could cause irreversible lifelong consequences.
This unit focuses on the detection of these disorders and emphasizes that not only is the role of the doctor important, but also that of the parents, who play a crucial role because they are the first to detect signs in their child that something is not working properly and must assess in time whether their child needs an ophthalmological examination.
Strabismus specializes in treating deviations in the visual line of one or both eyes, resulting in them not facing in the same direction relative to the visual axis or being parallel. Thus, while one eye directs its gaze toward a specific object, the other directs its gaze in a different direction. This poses both a visual and aesthetic problem.
If we take as a reference the classification of strabismus based on the direction in which the deviated eye moves, we can differentiate these types of strabismus:
- Convergent strabismus: It occurs when the eye deviates inward.
- Divergent strabismus: It occurs when the eye deviates outwards.
Glaucoma is a complex, chronic, and irreversible disease that currently affects millions of people worldwide and is considered the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
The mission of the Glaucoma supraspecialty is to provide timely diagnosis and effective treatment, ensuring that the natural course of this condition does not cause limitations in patients' daily lives. Our goal is to remain at the forefront of research, diagnosis, and treatment.
The key to treating the disease is early detection for proper diagnosis and treatment.
The supra-specialty of Oculoplastics, Orbital Surgery, and Tear Duct Surgery focuses on the reconstruction of complex fractures and the functional or cosmetic management of the eyebrows and midface.
We currently have a wide variety of surgical options to treat a wide range of conditions, some of which even involve different approaches or techniques.
Achieving high-quality patient satisfaction through our services has compelled us as a team to seek out and face new challenges, providing patients with better management of their conditions.
The supra-specialty of neuro-ophthalmology is the branch of ophthalmology that deals with diseases affecting the optic pathway, that is, everything related to the transmission of light signals from the retina to the brain, through its processing in the cerebral cortex, and until we understand what we are seeing.
In other words, this is the area responsible for studying visual disorders related to the brain or central or peripheral nervous system.