Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO)
Barcelona
, Spain
5
reviews
Price level High
Certified Medical Web
Joint Commission International
1997
year of foundation
8000
surgery per year
65000
patients annually
About clinic
The Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO) in Barcelona is the largest and most famous ophthalmological center in Spain. According to the annual surveys of the OCU (Organization of Users and Consumers) since 2012 it has been the best Spanish hospital with this specialization. IMO is the only Spanish ophthalmology center that has international JCI accreditation, which it received in 2017.
The Institute of Ocular Microsurgery provides treatment of eye diseases and visual impairments in adults and children at the level of the best world standards. The main direction of the institute's work is high-tech surgical interventions and operations of increased complexity. More than 7,000 patients undergo surgical treatment annually in 70 rooms and 8 IMO operating rooms.
What do foreign patients treat at the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery in Barcelona?
International patients most often come to IMO for the following types of treatment:
- laser correction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism using PRK, LASIK, LASEK, and EPILASIK techniques;
- layered corneal transplantation for keratoconus and other diseases;
- cataract surgery at different stages of the disease;
- laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma;
- surgical removal of strabismus;
- laser therapy for diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases.
As well, services such as surgical operations for ptosis (drooping of the eyelids) and aesthetic blepharoplasty are in demand.
Innovative Corneal Transplantation at IMO
In case of damage to the anterior layer of the cornea with keratoconus, ophthalmic surgeons use an innovative technique called limbal stem cell transplantation. They are obtained from the zone of transition of the cornea to the sclera of the healthy eye of the patient (autologous transplantation) or from a donor tissue bank (allogeneic transplantation). At the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery, this high-tech procedure is put on stream. The engraftment rate of donor limbal stem cells is over 95%.
Cataract surgery at the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery
Surgical treatment of cataracts in the IMO is carried out at all stages of the disease. Including in the early stages, if the patient has increased intraocular pressure, reduced visual acuity, or there is inflammation of the choroid.
High-tech diagnostics allows to accurately determine the stage of cataract and associated pathology. Surgeons perform the operation within 10-15 minutes under local anesthesia. They perform an incision (no more than 3 mm) and phacoemulsification (removal of a cloudy lens) using a femtosecond laser. This ensures maximum precision and safety of the intervention. In place of the lens, individually selected intraocular lenses of the latest generation are installed.
Treatment of Glaucoma at IMO
To normalize intraocular pressure in glaucoma, ophthalmologists perform various laser and microsurgical interventions. They are aimed at modifying the drainage system of the eye. Depending on the type and stage of glaucoma, surgeons perform:
- laser procedures (without incision), including trabeculoplasty, iridotomy, iridoplasty, cyclophotocoagulation;
- microsurgical operations, including trabeculectomy, sclerectomy, implantation of a drainage device (tube, valve), goniotomy (in children with congenital glaucoma).
All interventions are safe one-day surgery, which doctors perform on an outpatient basis or in a day hospital. The success rate, according to IMO, depending on the type of procedure, is 85-100%.
Advantages of Treatment at the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery in Barcelona
As a leading European ophthalmological center, IMO has a number of advantages:
- doctors use the latest generation of ophthalmic equipment, 30 advanced diagnostic methods, and high-tech and safe treatment methods;
- 40 ophthalmologists of the center, due to their specialization in the treatment of diseases of a certain part of the eye, have a high level of qualification;
- a complete examination of the patient is carried out within one day;
- patients with complex cases are treated by an interdisciplinary team of specialists who develop a personalized treatment plan;
- at the same time, surgeons can perform several interventions and cures, for example, glaucoma and cataracts;
- the center provides a unique service – genetic counseling for people with hereditary eye diseases;
- the center helps patients with rare eye diseases and advanced cases who have been turned down by other clinics;
- the success rate of the procedures is one of the best in the world, while the cost of medical services is less than in other leading clinics in Europe and the world;
- there are no queues for operations, you can quickly organize treatment at the right time;
- patients receive medical services in comfortable conditions, they are accompanied by an interpreter;
- accumulated vast experience in receiving foreign patients from many countries of the world.
You can get treatment in this Spanish center with the help of Experts Medical. Having received an application on the website or a call, the doctor-coordinator will take care of all organizational issues: from the initial consultation at IMO to booking tickets and providing an interpreter for the duration of treatment.
The best specialties of the hospital
All
Ophtalmology
Matías Herrera Pérez
5/5
Diagnosis: ophthalmology
Best ophthalmic professionals in Spain! Always attentive and welcoming. Very friendly team and you always feel calm and confident, because you are in safe hands.
15/02/2018
Javier Concha López
5/5
Diagnosis: Myopia
I was treating here my myopia with PRK technique. The postoperative period was difficult, but the result fully met my expectations. Attitude towards me has always been perfect and attentive. I was not mistaken in choosing IMO and I definitely recommend this clinic!
10/12/2018
Jesus Morales
5/5
Diagnosis: ophthalmology
Excellent service, excellent professionals, very modern and accessible resources, they can communicate in different languages and take care of the patient’s needs.
Good location and good interchange with private parking.
However, there is nowhere to eat, only in the cafeteria.
Highly recommend.
20/11/2018
Анна
5/5
Diagnosis: Cataract
I brought here mom for the treatment of cataracts. This center (the Barcelona Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO)) is quite famous and attracted me by using the latest equipment and doing operations on the eyes with minimal intervention. My mother was very afraid of the operation, but when she saw qualified doctors and satisfied patients in the clinic, she somehow calmed down and sat her heart on the operation. Now she was operated on and she is recovering. We are waiting for results!
27/01/2019
Albert Roig
5/5
Diagnosis: ophthalmology
Best ophthalmological center! Best technology and excellent treatment!
08/02/2019
Help pay for treatment
Experts Medical cooperates with foreign funds that help our patients pay for treatment
You can receive compensation up to 20,000 euros for the treatment of a patient under the age of 18
Cost of diagnostics and operations
Ophtalmology
| Lens replacement (cataract treatment) | Enquire price | |
| Keratoplasty (corneal transplant) | Enquire price | |
| Crosslinking for 1 eye | Enquire price | |
| I Lasik (2 eyes) | Enquire price | |
| Eye prosthesis | Enquire price | |
| PRK Photorefractive keratectomy (2 eyes) | Enquire price |
Best clinic's doctors
Eva Ayala
Ophthalmologist
Work experience:
20 years
Achievements:
Membership:
- Spanish Society of Plastic Ophthalmic and Orbital Surgery (SECPOO);
- Spanish Society of Ophthalmology (SEO);
- Ophthalmological Society of the Canary Islands;
- European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS).
Oscar Gris
Ophthalmologist
Work experience:
22
Achievements:
Membership:
- Spanish Group for the Study of the Surface of the Eye and the Cornea (GESOC);
- European Society of Cornea and Eye Surface Specialists (EUCORNEA);
- Catalan Society of Ophthalmology (SCO);
- Spanish Society of Implant-Refractive Eye Surgery (SECOIR)
Elena Arrondo
Ophthalmologist
Work experience:
22 years
Achievements:
Membership:
- Catalan Society of Ophthalmology;
- American Academy of Ophthalmology;
- Endophthalmitis Treatment Groups, Barcelona;
- Conglacat Groups (Catalan Glaucoma Consensus).
Ana Vert
Ophthalmologist
Work experience:
16 years
Achievements:
Membership:
- Catalan Ophthalmological Society;
- Spanish Society of Ophthalmology;
- Member of the Spanish Society of Estrabology and Pediatric Ophthalmology.
José Visa
Ophthalmologist
Work experience:
39 years
Achievements:
President of the Spanish Society of Strabology.
Membership:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology;
- Spanish Society of Ophthalmology;
- Vice-President of the Catalan Society of Ophthalmology.
Carlos Mateo
Ophthalmologist
Work experience:
35 years
Achievements:
Membership:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology;
- American Society of Retinologists (ASRS);
- European Society of Retinologists (EURETINA);
- European Society of Retina and Vitreous Disease (EVRS);
- Spanish Society for the Treatment of Retinal and Vitreous Disorders (SERV);
- Catalan Society of Ophthalmology;
- Honorary Member of the Arab-African Society of Retinal Professionals (CRMAASRS).
Additional services
Transfer from / to the airport
Help with visa
Personal assistant
Wi-Fi Internet
Apartments and avia tickets booking
Translator
Accommodation of an accompanying person
One-man room
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Why is IMO considered the best ophthalmological center in Spain?
The Institute of Ocular Microsurgery (IMO) has been ranked first in the list of TOP-10 ophthalmological centers in Spain since 2012. This is confirmed by surveys regularly conducted by the OCU (Users and Consumers Organization) in the medical community.
IMO is the only Spanish ophthalmological center that has the prestigious international accreditation JCI (Joint Commission International). IMO remains the only center in Spain that has its own molecular biology laboratory, which develops innovative treatments for eye diseases. In the Department of Genetics, doctors carry out diagnostics and genetic counseling for people suffering from hereditary eye diseases.
IMO has a special department that performs both plastic surgery and non-surgical aesthetic procedures to rejuvenate the eyelid area.
The Institute of Ocular Microsurgery accepts for treatment patients with rare pathologies, the most difficult cases, which were refused by doctors at their place of residence in other countries.
IMO has the latest generation of high-tech computerized equipment for eye diagnostics and microsurgery, as well as unique specialists. This is due to the fact that each of the ophthalmologists of the center specializes in the pathology and treatment of a certain part of the eye, for example, the cornea, and retina. Therefore, the specialists are highly qualified.
At the same time, the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery applies an interdisciplinary team approach to each patient. This makes it possible to carry out combined and complex ophthalmic operations when several diseases need to be cured at the same time. At the same time, the success rates for performing various microsurgical operations are among the highest in the world.
The Institute of Ocular Microsurgery is distinguished by the increased comfort of cabinets and operating rooms where patients are received and treated.
Therefore, the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery in Spain has been a leading world-class medical institution, known far beyond the borders of the country, for more than 25 years.
What eye diseases are best treated at IMO?
You can contact the Spanish Institute of Ocular Microsurgery with any ocular pathology and visual impairment in children and adults at any age. Doctors of the following departments accept foreign patients at IMO:
- cornea;
- cataracts;
- refractive eye surgery (laser vision correction);
- glaucoma;
- pediatric ophthalmology;
- strabismus in adults;
- retina and vitreous body;
- oculoplasty (diseases of the lacrimal ducts, eyelids and eye sockets);
- aesthetics and blepharoplasty.
Doctors conduct a complete examination of the patient within one day. To do this, they can use 30 different research methods using the most modern equipment. Treatment, including surgery, is carried out on an outpatient basis and in a day hospital.
What kind of keratoplasty and at what cost is performed for keratoconus in IMO?
In the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery, layered keratoplasty is performed in 70% of cases. When the posterior corneal layers are affected, ophthalmologists perform corneal endothelial transplantation (DMEK). When the anterior (epithelial) layer is damaged, they perform an innovative procedure – transplantation of corneal stem cells (limbal stem cells).
Transplanted stem cells can be donor allogeneic transplantation or own autologous transplantation. In the second case, the doctor removes them from the limbus (the zone of transition of the cornea to the sclera) of the patient’s healthy eye.
Every year at IMO, ophthalmologists perform 200 operations of keratoplasty. They perform microsurgical operations using a femtosecond laser, which ensures minimally invasive interventions. The survival rate of the donor cornea is more than 95%. The price of keratoplasty in IMO is about $9,000 ($12,000 in Turkey).
What are the benefits of cataract surgery at IMO?
Since 2012, IMO ophthalmologists have been using a femtosecond laser for cataract microsurgery so the accuracy of manipulations has increased 100 times. With its help, they perform phacoemulsification (destruction of the lens with cataract) and a micro-incision of less than 3 mm for cataract removal and intraocular lens implantation. Thanks to innovative technologies, surgical treatment of cataracts is carried out at earlier stages of the disease – with an increase in intraocular pressure; with uveitis (inflammation of the choroid of the eye) when a decrease in vision worsens the quality of life.
Before the operation, the ophthalmologist uses high-tech equipment to determine the type of cataract, size, location, impact on visual function, and prognosis. Also, the doctor before the operation:
- determines visual acuity and intraocular pressure;
- performs eye biomicroscopy;
- determines the topography of the cornea and the count of endothelial cells;
- performs optical coherence tomography;
- performs fundus examination and biometrics.
It also uses the innovative OQAS system to determine various optical parameters of the eye to make the final decision on surgical intervention.
Cataract surgery takes only 15-20 minutes. As a rule, it is performed under local anesthesia (pain drops). So after the operation, the patient does not need to keep his eyes closed for several hours. The success rate for cataract surgery is over 98%.
How is diabetic retinopathy treated at the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery?
Depending on the area and degree of damage to the retina, specialists use various treatment options:
- laser photocoagulation of retinal vessels;
- intravitreal injections;
- surgery (vitrectomy).
Many treatments for this common pathology have been improved by the IMO. Patients with this manifestation of diabetes are consulted and operated on by IMO director Dr. Rafael Navarro. This is a unique world-class specialist in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy as well as age-related macular degeneration and other retinal diseases.
How is laser vision correction performed at IMO?
The center has already accumulated 25 years of experience in laser refractive surgery for the correction of myopia, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Ophthalmologists perform 70% of all interventions using a femtosecond laser and the innovative Relex SMILE technique. The surgeon makes a micro-incision of only 2 mm and uses one of the methods of laser vision correction – PRK, LASIK, LASEK, EPILASIK.
Which method will be used, the ophthalmologist specializing in this type of microsurgery decides after a preoperative examination and communication with the patient. It takes into account not only the results of examinations and tests, but also age, personal preferences, or profession. The operation lasts about five minutes and it is usually performed under local anesthesia (the patient receives special eye drops).
More than 90% of patients, according to department statistics, are completely satisfied with the results of laser vision correction in IMO.
Is it possible to simultaneously operate a cataract with glaucoma at the Institute of Ocular Microsurgery?
Glaucoma is often combined with cataracts. For these cases, IMO has developed a method of surgical treatment, which consists of simultaneous antiglaucoma surgery with cataract removal and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The most modern laser technologies are used for cataract removal. IOL implantation is performed even in patients with advanced glaucoma.
Can IMO correct ptosis (drooping) of the eyelids?
The Institute of Ocular Microsurgery specializes in the treatment of this pathology in adults and children. The center is known in Europe and in the world for the results of operations for the ptosis of the eyelids of various origins. Surgeons know eight methods of ptosis correction.
IMO experts recommend ptosis correction in all cases since this is not only an aesthetic problem. In children, if the eyelid closes the pupil, vision problems may occur. The operation can only be postponed until the child goes to school.
In adults, ptosis can also affect the visual field and eventually cause neck problems. Therefore, drooping eyelids are also desirable to eliminate as quickly as possible. Ptosis surgery is performed under general anesthesia in children and under local anesthesia in adults.
What is the best way to organize treatment in IMO?
This is quite simple to do by contacting Experts Medical. The medical coordinator will promptly consult with a specialist for your specific disease and provide a treatment plan. As well, he will fully organize the trip on the dates you choose.