Patients at the General Hospital Monte Sinaí underwent successful surgeries during the hospital’s first ophthalmology campaign, according to an April 1 announcement. The initiative, led by the national government, enabled the hospital’s ophthalmology service to perform ocular muscle surgeries to address vision problems caused by strabismus.
The program is part of Vice President María José Pinto’s efforts to prioritize specialized care for vulnerable patients in order to improve their quality of life and overall development.
Strabismus is a visual disorder where a person’s eyes do not align properly, resulting in each eye sending different images to the brain. This condition can lead to double vision and loss of depth perception. Most cases are congenital, but it can also be caused by cerebral palsy, muscular or nerve issues, as well as adult conditions such as diabetes or thyroid diseases.
Adriana Sinaluiza, whose child was treated during this campaign, said her son was born with strabismus. She described how his vision problems affected his learning process and led to social challenges: “Thanks to the operation that my son is going to have he will be able to see and do everything related to studies well,” Sinaluiza said.
The surgical procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia and takes about 60 minutes. Surgeons make incisions in the conjunctiva—the transparent tissue covering the eye—to strengthen or weaken external eye muscles without removing the eyeball from its socket. The recovery rate is high and typically rapid.
Patients who benefited from this special event will continue receiving medical supervision through outpatient consultations until they fully recover. The Ministry of Public Health states it guarantees comprehensive visual health through screenings, technical standards, diagnostic services and treatment options aimed at ensuring quality of life and equitable access.
