Outpatient eye surgery

The following eye conditions are treated at Medicover Hospital during outpatient surgery. This means you don’t even have to stay one night in hospital, and recovery is fast.

If your eyes are causing you problems we suggest you consult with an ophthalmologist as soon as possible to determine the cause of your complaints and set up a treatment plan.

It is entirely possible that your doctor will recommend eye drops or a cream which will provide immediate relief from your symptoms and you won’t need surgical intervention. However, delaying treatment can in some cases result in irreversible damage to your eyesight.

Atheroma or fatty tissue is – as the name suggest – a dermal cyst which forms from fat. It is a benign cosmetic issue which manifests itself as a yellowish bump on the skin. The removal of an atheroma is considered a surgical intervention. During the operation your doctor cuts a small incision on your skin through which he removes the fatty tissue. He then stiches up the wound and completes the surgery by putting bandage on the area.

Pterygium is a condition characterized by the conjunctiva growing onto the cornea of the eye. In most cases both eyes are affected. It is more common on the side closer to your nose. Sometimes the pterygium itself as well as the nearby skin becomes red. When the growth reaches the center of the cornea, it can lead to vision loss. In these cases surgery is the only way to reverse the condition. The surgeon aims to remove the part of the conjunctiva covering the cornea.

Fibromas are benign changes. This type of tissue growth develops on the eyelids and causes only minor, cosmetic problems. Surgery consists in removing the growth.

Cysts are water-filled, closed sacs which can be found beneath the skin of the eyelid or conjunctiva. They are benign, the only need to be removed if they cause discomfort.

Styes are a common complaint. They are either painless or painful (especially when inflamed) lumps on the sides of the eyelids. It is not uncommon to have more than one at the same time. They develop when the sebaceous glands of the eyelid become blocked and later on, inflamed. If a stye does not respond to medication it needs to be cut open and removed.

During surgery the doctor approaches the stye from the inner side of the eyelid, the part closest tot he conjunctiva. The surgeon removes the pus and tallow, and in some cases he or she will cut out the inflamed tissue as well. As the incision is tiny, there is no need for stiches after surgery. A pressure bandage is usually placed on the eye which needs to stay there as long as deemed necessary by the doctor.

This syndrome affects the upper eyelids, which regularly become swollen (oedema) and inflamed as a result of the condition. This usually happens symmetrically, meaning that in most people both eyelids are affected. The condition does not interfere with the patient’s vision or the opening and closing of the eye. It is an entirely aesthetic problem. Surgery is recommended only when, the skin of the eyelids starts to droop over the eyelashes.

This condition is characterized by the lower eyelids turning inwards, which is usually very uncomfortable, even painful. Entropion is considered a serious medical issue as it continuously irritates the cornea and can lead to further problems. Both eyes can be affected at the same time. Treatment is always surgical, and serves not only cosmetic purposes but aims to prevent vision loss and preserve the eyeball at the same time.

The cause is often the overgrowth and overactivity of the eyelid muscles. During surgery the doctor removes excess tissue, which usually resolves the complaints.

Contrary to entropion, ectropion causes the lower eyelid to turn outward. It mostly happens due to aging, because the connective tissues become weaker, and so do the tendons in the eyelid. When ectropion occurs the conjunctiva is constantly irritated due to exposure. Patients with the condition catch infections easier and the eyes can become inflamed as a result. Surgery is done to treat ectropion both for cosmetic and medical reasons.