Dr. Arnaldo Espaillat Cabral, founder of the Espaillat Cabral Institute (1970), the first ophthalmological center in the Dominican Republic, passed away on January 26.

Born in Mao in 1931, Dr. Espaillat Cabral faced from an early age the challenges imposed by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, a regime that took the life of his father for political reasons. In the midst of this adverse context, he trained as a doctor at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), where he stood out for his academic brilliance and determination.

The funeral of the outstanding doctor will be held at the Blandino Funeral Home on Monday, January 27, starting at 1:00 p.m. Then, on Tuesday the 28th, at 11:00 a.m., he will have a funeral mass before leaving for the Cristo Redentor cemetery, where he will receive a Christian burial.

His specialization in ophthalmology at the Barraquer Institute in Barcelona marked the beginning of a pioneering career that would lead him to found his own center.

There he developed fundamental medical advances, including research on Toxoplasma Gondii and eye lesions associated with leprosy, placing the country on the map of international medical research.

The doctor also dedicated more than two decades to teaching at the UASD, impacting generations of professionals and leaving a legacy in medical education.

He was also one of the founding members and former president of the Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic, an institution from which he promoted scientific projects of great national impact. Likewise, his interest in language and culture led him to be a member of the Dominican Academy of Language and the author of three books that combine his scientific knowledge with his love of letters.

In his life, Dr. Espaillat Cabral not only stood out as a doctor and scientist, but also as a man of principles, whose critical stance against the Trujillo dictatorship earned him persecution and jail. His courage and commitment to social justice made him a moral and ethical reference for his generation.

Read the press release in Listín Diario https://listindiario.com/la-republica/20250127/fallece-doctor-arnaldo-espaillat-cabral-fundador-primer-centro-oftalmologico-rd_843051.html

The Academy of Sciences of the Dominican Republic (ACRD) invested this Thursday Dr. Arnaldo Espaillat Matos as a Full Member of the Health Sciences Commission, for his outstanding contribution to the field of ophthalmology and medicine.

Dr. Espaillat Matos, Medical Director of the Espaillat Cabral Institute since 1997, and renowned national and international ophthalmologist, presented his inaugural speech entitled "Application of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Ophthalmology." This event is a recognition of his career, his dedication to innovation and the advancement of ophthalmology in the Dominican Republic and Latin America.

During the ceremony, the president of the ACRD, Manuel Ramón Herrera Carbuccia, expressed feeling honored to invest Dr. Espaillat Matos, "Doctor, you are an example of dedication and commitment to dignified work, for us at the ACRD it is more than a pride to recognize your work."

While Dr. Antonio Selman Geara, member of the Health Sciences Commission, said that Espaillat Matos dignifies Dominican medicine and that his gift of service and his career make him worthy of this recognition. He called on the new generations to follow the example of the new academician, and train themselves to work for the benefit of those who have less.

The vice president of the ACRD, Dr. Dennis R. Simó, was present at the investiture ceremony, as well as the academicians Dr. José Joaquín Puello, Irene Pérez Guerra, Celedonio Jiménez, Juan Francisco Puello Herrera, Arnaldo Espaillat Cabral, and the engineer Osiris de León, Eduardo Klingler, family and friends of the honoree.

With this act, the Academy of Sciences highlights its commitment to the development of medicine in the Dominican Republic.

About Dr. Espaillat Matos

Espaillat Matos has an extensive academic and professional career. A graduate of the Barraquer Institute in Barcelona, ​​Spain, with a Postgraduate Diploma in Vitreo-Retino-Choroid Pathology and a Master's Degree in Anterior Segment Pathology, he also holds a Fellowship in Retina and Vitreous.

He has also chaired organizations such as the Latin American Association of Cataract, Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgeons (ALACCSA-R), the Dominican Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ADOCAREF), the Dominican Society of Ophthalmology, the Dominican Association of Ophthalmological Centers (ADOCAREF), and is an active member of various international ophthalmology associations.

He has also been distinguished with awards such as the "International Ophthalmologist Education Award" and the "International Scholar Award" of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).

In his academic contribution, Dr. Espaillat Matos has been co-editor and co-author of three books in the field of ophthalmology: Cicafe: Cataract Surgery with Femtosecond Laser, New Trends in Cataract Surgery, and Diagnostic Images in Ophthalmology. He has also presented more than 270 scientific conferences at national and international level and has published more than 30 scientific articles in specialized journals, contributing significantly to the knowledge and practice in his field.

Read the press release in Listín Diario Newspaper https://listindiario.com/la-republica/sector-salud/20241123/doctor-arnaldo-espaillat-ingresa-academia-ciencias_834798.html

The Espaillat Cabral Institute, the first ophthalmological center in the Dominican Republic, has brought the most modern Refractive Suite in the world to the country, and has presented the most advanced version of the SMILE procedure: SMILE PRO.

This is a significant advance, as part of its commitment to providing cutting-edge ophthalmological treatments to its patients.

Dr. Arnaldo Espaillat, medical director of the center, said: "Thanks to the acquisition of the ZEISS Refractive Suite, equipped with the latest generation VISUMAX 800 and MEL 90 lasers, we are proud to be able to offer our patients the Refractive Suite, the largest and most advanced catalog of refractive laser surgery available in the world (SMILE PRO, FemtoLasik, LASIK, PRK and TRANS-PRK). This cutting-edge technology allows us to address a variety of visual conditions – such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism – with "Incomparable precision and safety, which positions us at the forefront of ophthalmological innovation globally."

This suite offers a range of possibilities for the treatment of the aforementioned refractive errors. Among its notable features is the SMILE PRO procedure, a milestone in refractive surgery, which redefines standards by providing a less invasive and more modern alternative for patients.

SMILE PRO is performed with the ZEISS VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser. This procedure is characterized by its great speed, precision, high discharge frequency and for being a comfortable technique for the patient. This translates into precise and short-term treatments.

VISUMAX 800 works with a painless contact glass, the surface of which resembles the natural shape of the cornea. With minimal suction, the glass exerts a small constant pressure on the cornea throughout the surgery. During the treatment, you have the sensation of having a contact lens in your eye.

The laser takes less than 10 seconds to create a small, lens-shaped piece of corneal tissue (called a lenticule) inside the cornea. The surgeon then removes the lenticule through a small incision on the outside of the eye. This rebuilds the cornea and corrects the refractive error.

It is a procedure with virtually no noise or smell, during which the patient can remain in the same position from start to finish.

Reasons why SMILE PRO is the best gift for your eyes:

1. Minimally invasive: SMILE PRO requires only a small incision (80% smaller than that used in FemtoLasik). This comfortable procedure involves a low level of infections and does not require a corneal flap.

2. Maximum comfort: SMILE PRO provides a comfortable, stress-free treatment experience that only lasts a few minutes.

3. With SMILE PRO, excellent visual recovery is usually achieved a week after the procedure. Normally, you can drive and play sports without glasses or contact lenses within a few days after undergoing treatment. Additionally, the patient can return to work the next day.

The Espaillat Cabral Institute stands out for its commitment to the highest standards of medical care and patient safety. It has the international accreditation of Health Quality ACHC (Accreditation Commission for Health Care) of the United States, a distinction that reflects its responsibility with continuous improvement and quality in the provision of ophthalmological medical services.

See publication in Diario Libre Newspaper: https://www.diariolibre.com/actualidad/contenido-patrocinado/2024/07/01/instituto-espaillat-cabral-introduce-la-suite-refractiva-mas-moderna/2762110

Since its founding in 1970, the Espaillat Cabral Institute has been a fundamental pillar in visual health care in the Dominican Republic. With 54 years of unwavering dedication, this pioneering ophthalmology clinic in the country celebrates a significant milestone in its history, marking more than half a century of commitment to medical excellence and the well-being of the community.

The leadership of the Espaillat Cabral Institute stands out for its commitment to the highest standards of medical care and patient safety, as demonstrated by its international ACHC (Accreditation Commission for Health Care) Health Quality accreditation from the United States. This distinction reflects the Institute's commitment to continuous improvement and quality in the provision of ophthalmological medical services.

As one of the transversal axes that have cemented its reason for being, the Espaillat Cabral Institute makes the most modern scientific advances available to its patients, highlighting among them: the femtosecond laser and the excimer laser, used for the correction of myopia. , hyperopia and astigmatism. This revolutionary technology is 100% scalpel-free and provides unprecedented precision in corrective visual procedures for refractive errors. Likewise, they have the LenSx femtosecond laser, which is the most advanced technique used in cataract surgery, which allows the procedure to be personalized to each patient's eye. While for the treatment of dry eyes, they have therapy based on Intense Pulsed Light, with the ThermaEye equipment.

Likewise, they offer consultation services in all subspecialties, from pediatric ophthalmology, through corneal, cataract and refractive surgery, glaucoma, to oculoplasty and ocular cosmetics. Likewise, diseases of the retina and vitreous, inflammatory diseases of the uvea and also neuro-ophthalmology. In addition, they have a complete and innovative center for ophthalmological diagnostic studies and an optician with guaranteed service, so users can find answers to all their visual health needs in one place.

The human team at the Espaillat Cabral Institute is made up of highly qualified professionals, covering all ophthalmological subspecialties. Their dedication and experience ensure first-class service for patients, providing personalized care and exceptional results in each intervention.

In addition to its clinical work, the Institute is actively committed to informing and educating the public about the importance of eye health. Through its website www.espaillatcabral.com and its social networks @espaillatcabral, it offers informative resources on the prevention of eye diseases, tips to maintain good eye health and promotion of healthy habits for all stages of life.

Looking to the future, the Espaillat Cabral Institute reaffirms its commitment to remain a leader in visual health care, continuing its mission of providing world-class ophthalmic care and promoting awareness of the importance of vision in general well-being.

We are happy to share that the Free Operation for the detection of Glaucoma in our center was carried out successfully on Saturdays, March 16 and 23, by our glaucoma specialists: doctors Katia Cabrero, Katherine Rivera and Guillermina Méndez.

We want to remind you how important it is to take care of your visual health. Performing regular eye checkups can detect vision problems early and prevent future complications.

You can request your in-person appointment by clicking here.