2023-06-16 23:56:00
Cuenca, June 16, 2023
The Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital in Cuenca expands its resolution capacity in the ophthalmology service. Cataract surgeries for the pediatric population began this month, as the necessary technological equipment and multidisciplinary personnel were available. This service adds to the attention with this type of interventions aimed at adult patients.
Three pediatric patients between the ages of 8 and 15 were the first to benefit from this new service, through a day of surgeries. Jennifer, 15 years old, is one of the beneficiaries. Silvia, the patient’s sister, indicated that at approximately the age of 12 she began to gradually lose her vision and finally she could no longer see. “This surgery will allow her to see better and therefore will help her in her studies.”
The cataract consists of the opacity of the natural lens that we have inside the eye, called the crystalline lens, which is produced by various causes, the main ones being: genetic, hereditary or traumatic, among others.
“Surgery consists of removing this lens that has become opacified and replacing it with a new intraocular lens, which improves vision, taking into account that in the pediatric population, cataracts prevent normal vision development. This surgery allows children to recover their vision and maintain a normal process of visual development,” said Rubén Cando, a pediatric ophthalmologist at the Hospital.
In addition to improving their quality of life, important financial support is provided to the patient and his family. In a private health unit, cataract surgery costs between 1,500 and 2,000 dollars, considering that children require general anesthesia for the intervention, while in the hospital the service is free.
The incidence of cataracts in children is not frequent, however, it is important to detect them early. Those that progress progressively can cause blindness if not treated on time.
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