Prolonged screen use can cause digital eye strain, dry eye symptoms, and may contribute to habits associated with the progression of myopia in some children.
Regular breaks, age-appropriate screen time limits, and spending more time outdoors are recommended to support healthy visual development.
Yes. Strabismus, commonly known as crossed or misaligned eyes, can be successfully treated, especially when diagnosed early.
Depending on the cause and your child's age, treatment may include glasses, vision therapy, patching, botulinum toxin injections, or surgery. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Not always. Sitting very close to screens or books may be a sign that your child has a vision problem, such as myopia or another refractive error.
While it does not necessarily indicate a serious eye disease, a comprehensive eye examination can determine the cause and whether treatment is needed.
Warning signs may include sitting very close to the television, holding books too close, squinting, tilting the head, rubbing the eyes frequently, complaining of headaches, or experiencing difficulties at school.
However, many children show no obvious symptoms. Regular comprehensive eye examinations are the best way to detect vision problems early.
A child's first comprehensive eye examination is recommended during the first year of life, even if there are no apparent vision problems or family history of eye disease.
After that, follow-up visits will depend on your child's age, medical history, and your ophthalmologist's recommendations. Regular eye examinations help detect vision problems early, before they interfere with development or learning.
The best way to protect your vision is to keep your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under good control, follow your doctor's recommendations, and attend your regular eye examinations.
Healthy lifestyle habits and early detection of eye changes are key to reducing the risk of vision loss and maintaining healthy eyesight.
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the small blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that is responsible for vision. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage these blood vessels, leading to bleeding, swelling, and vision problems.
In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy often does not cause noticeable symptoms, which is why many people are unaware they have it.
In many cases, diabetes can damage the eyes without causing symptoms in its early stages. Waiting until your vision becomes blurry or decreases may mean the disease has already progressed.
A comprehensive eye examination is the best way to detect diabetic eye disease early and begin treatment when necessary.
If you have diabetes, you should have a comprehensive eye examination at least once a year, although the recommended frequency may vary depending on your eye health and the type of diabetes you have.
If diabetic retinopathy or another eye condition is already present, your ophthalmologist may recommend more frequent follow-up visits.
Yes. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. It also increases the risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye conditions.
Many of these complications develop without noticeable symptoms in their early stages. That is why regular eye examinations are essential, even if your vision seems normal.
Yes. Dry eye disease can be treated, and in most cases, symptoms can be significantly improved, leading to better comfort and quality of life.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. It may include artificial tears, prescription medications, lifestyle modifications, and, when appropriate, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, an advanced treatment that helps improve the function of the meibomian glands, which produce the oily layer of the tear film and help prevent tear evaporation.
Yes. When using computers, smartphones, or tablets for long periods, we tend to blink less often. This allows tears to evaporate more quickly and can worsen dry eye symptoms.
Taking regular breaks, blinking consciously, and keeping your eyes well lubricated can help reduce discomfort.
Although it may seem surprising, excessive tearing is one of the most common symptoms of dry eye disease. When the surface of the eye becomes dry or irritated, the body responds by producing more tears as a protective reflex.
These reflex tears do not provide the proper lubrication needed to keep the eye comfortable, so symptoms often continue. Appropriate treatment helps restore a healthier tear film and improve comfort.
Dry eye can cause symptoms such as burning, a gritty sensation, itching, redness, fluctuating blurred vision, or discomfort while using computers, smartphones, or spending time in air-conditioned environments.
If these symptoms occur frequently or interfere with your daily activities, a comprehensive eye examination is recommended. Identifying the underlying cause allows your ophthalmologist to recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Recovery from refractive surgery is usually quick. Many patients notice an improvement in their vision within the first few hours or during the first few days after the procedure.
In most cases, you can return to your daily activities within just a few days, including driving, working, and participating in sports, as long as you follow your ophthalmologist's recommendations.
No. Refractive surgery is a painless procedure performed using anesthetic eye drops, allowing patients to remain awake throughout the surgery without feeling pain.
At Instituto Espaillat Cabral, we offer the ZEISS Refractive Suite, the world's most comprehensive portfolio of laser refractive surgery technologies. It includes SMILE PRO, FemtoLASIK, LASIK, PRK, and Trans-PRK, allowing us to provide a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient's unique needs.
There is no single procedure that is best for everyone. Each technique has specific indications, and the best option is the one that best matches your eyes, your prescription, the shape and thickness of your cornea, your lifestyle, and your visual goals.
Following a comprehensive eye examination and specialized diagnostic testing, your ophthalmologist will recommend the procedure that offers the highest level of safety and the best possible visual outcome for you.
Yes. Refractive surgery uses advanced laser technology to correct vision problems such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, helping reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Refractive surgery can correct several common vision problems, including:
The most appropriate treatment depends on a comprehensive eye examination and your individual visual needs.
The only way to know if you are a candidate for refractive surgery is through a comprehensive eye examination. Before recommending any procedure, your ophthalmologist will perform a complete eye evaluation along with specialized diagnostic tests to determine whether surgery is safe and which technique is best for you.
In general, candidates are adults over the age of 21 with a stable prescription for at least one year and healthy corneas. Refractive surgery may not be recommended for people with certain eye or medical conditions, or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
During cataract surgery, the eye's natural lens is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Several types of lenses are available, and the best option depends on your eye health, lifestyle, and visual needs.
At Instituto Espaillat Cabral, we offer different types of intraocular lenses:
Before surgery, your ophthalmologist will evaluate your eyes and discuss your lifestyle and visual expectations to recommend the intraocular lens that best suits your individual needs.
No. Once a cataract has been removed, it cannot grow back because the eye's natural lens (the structure where cataracts develop) has been replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens that does not develop cataracts.
The answer depends on the type of intraocular lens implanted, the characteristics of your eyes, and your visual needs. Many patients become less dependent on glasses after surgery, while others may still need them for reading or certain activities.
Before surgery, your ophthalmologist will discuss the available lens options and help you choose the one that best matches your lifestyle.
Recovery is usually quick, and many patients notice better vision within the first few days. Complete healing, however, may take several weeks depending on each individual's condition.
Cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure using anesthetic eye drops. Most patients experience little or no pain during the procedure and return home the same day.
There is no specific age at which cataract surgery should be performed. Surgery is recommended when cataracts begin to interfere with your daily life, making activities such as reading, driving, working, or enjoying hobbies more difficult.
Today, there is usually no need to wait until a cataract becomes "mature." Your ophthalmologist will determine the right time based on your vision and lifestyle.
Cataracts develop when the eye's natural lens gradually becomes cloudy. At first, symptoms may be subtle, but over time they can interfere with everyday activities.
Common signs include blurry vision, difficulty driving at night, increased sensitivity to bright lights, frequent changes in your glasses prescription, and colors appearing duller than before. A comprehensive eye examination is the best way to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the type and severity of glaucoma. It may include eye drops, laser procedures, or surgery to control intraocular pressure.
The goal is to preserve vision and prevent the disease from progressing. Regular follow-up is as important as treatment, as it allows for monitoring the disease's progression and making necessary adjustments.
Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma, and the damage it causes to the optic nerve is irreversible.
However, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment allow for disease control, reduction of intraocular pressure, and a significant decrease in the risk of vision loss.
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but the risk increases with age, family history, elevated intraocular pressure, diabetes, and certain eye diseases.
If you belong to any of these groups, it is recommended that you have regular eye exams as frequently as your ophthalmologist advises.
Yes. Glaucoma usually progresses slowly and, in its early stages, doesn't cause pain or noticeable changes in vision. For this reason, many people are unaware they have it until the disease has already caused damage.
Regular eye exams, especially after age 40 or if there is a family history, allow for early detection before it significantly affects vision.
A corneal transplant is usually recommended when the cornea has significant damage that can no longer be corrected with other treatments.
Not all corneal diseases require a transplant. Currently, there are different techniques available, and the ophthalmologist will determine which is most appropriate based on the disease, the condition of the cornea, and the patient's visual needs.
Yes. When the eyes don't produce enough tears or they evaporate too quickly, the surface of the eye loses lubrication and the cornea can become irritated.
This can cause a gritty or burning sensation, blurred vision, and even damage to the surface of the eye if left untreated. A proper diagnosis allows doctors to identify the cause of dry eye and offer the most appropriate treatment for each patient.
Keratoconus has no definitive cure, but treatments are currently available that can halt or slow its progression and improve vision.
Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment may include special contact lenses, corneal crosslinking, intracorneal rings, or, in more advanced cases, a corneal transplant. The best option will depend on the specialist's evaluation.
Keratoconus is a disease in which the cornea thins and gradually changes shape, causing blurred or distorted vision.
Some warning signs include frequent increases in eyeglass prescription, difficulty correcting vision with conventional glasses, or discomfort when driving at night. A comprehensive eye exam confirms the diagnosis and determines the most appropriate treatment.
When the retina has a tear, it can usually be treated with laser or cryotherapy to seal the lesion and reduce the risk of further detachment.
If the retina has already detached, specialized surgery is usually necessary to reattach it. The prognosis depends largely on the time elapsed since the onset of symptoms, so seeing an ophthalmologist promptly is crucial.
Macular degeneration is a disease that affects the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for activities such as reading, recognizing faces, and perceiving details.
Its symptoms often include blurred vision in the center of the eyes, difficulty distinguishing details, or the perception of straight lines as distorted. While it cannot always be prevented, early diagnosis allows for timely treatment and helps preserve vision for longer.
A sudden decrease in vision should always be considered a medical emergency. It could be related to a retinal detachment, a blockage of the blood vessels in the eye, or other conditions that require immediate attention.
The faster the diagnosis is made, the greater the chances of preserving vision. If you notice partial or total vision loss, don't wait for it to go away on its own.
Flashes of light can occur when the vitreous humor pulls on the retina. While they are sometimes not a sign of a serious condition, they can also be an early indication of a retinal tear.
If the flashes appear suddenly, especially if accompanied by numerous floaters or a shadow moving across your vision, it is crucial to have an urgent eye exam to rule out injuries requiring immediate treatment.
Floaters are small spots or thread-like shapes that appear to drift across your vision. They are usually a normal part of the eye's aging process and are harmless. However, if they appear suddenly, increase significantly, or are accompanied by flashes of light or vision loss, you should seek an urgent eye examination to rule out a retinal tear or retinal detachment.
People over 48 years old, diagnosed with presbyopia and with good eye health, who wish to reduce their dependence on glasses. A medical evaluation is essential to determine if it is the right option.
No, topical anesthesia in eye drops is applied, so there is no pain during the surgery.
Many patients notice the difference on the very same day of surgery. Within 2 days, most already enjoy very good visual acuity. The neuroadaptation process can take between 1 and 4 months.
The patient can return to daily activities the next day, always following the specialist’s instructions.
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