The Ophthalmology Service of the Doctor José Molina Orosa University Hospital, a center attached to the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, has expanded its portfolio of services with the incorporation of vitreoretinal surgery. This is an ocular microsurgery technique that allows addressing advanced pathologies of the posterior pole of the eye related to the retina and vitreous.
The new intervention, which has already benefited five patients during the month of June, is indicated to treat various eye pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, eye injuries or trauma, as well as macular holes or hemorrhages in the vitreous.
Precisely, the incorporation of vitreoretinal surgery to the surgical services of Molina Orosa will prevent patients from Lanzarote with these pathologies from having to travel, as until now, to the reference hospital in Gran Canaria.
This more complex intervention has been performed by an ophthalmologist expert in the field of the retina, recently incorporated, along with other specialists from the service. In addition, its implementation has been possible after the acquisition of modern technical equipment, a latest generation vitreotome that allows ophthalmologists to operate by microincision, favoring the safety of the eye.
This technique promotes a better and faster visual recovery of the patient and greater comfort after surgery. Also, the fact of being able to perform it in Lanzarote avoids the inconveniences of maritime routes, especially in cases where air transport is contraindicated.
New doctors, more consultations, more interventions
The Ophthalmology Service of the Molina Orosa Hospital has experienced a notable improvement after the incorporation of three new doctors throughout the last year, currently adding eight specialists. Also, technical resources have been reinforced with new technological equipment, such as the aforementioned vitreotome and equipment for retinal cryotherapy.
During the past year, the service's professionals performed a total of 2,653 surgical interventions and, until May 2025, they have already carried out 1,317, which represents a growth of close to twelve percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
On the other hand, the consultations attended by ophthalmologists have experienced an increase of fourteen percent: until May, 8,413 consultations have been counted compared to 7,350 in the same period of 2024.
The Ophthalmology Service performs different surgical techniques, including cataract, glaucoma, retina, eyelid and lacrimal duct interventions, and maintains its commitment to continue advancing and incorporating new techniques that allow effectively addressing the different eye pathologies.
