Centro Oftalmológico del Llano
Centro Oftalmológico del Llano
We Answer Your Questions
Answers to Our Patients’ Most Frequently Asked Questions.
Patient Questions
The Reassurance of Being Well Informed
Yes. This has always been, and remains, one of our main commitments.
We believe it is essential that you understand what is happening, what the diagnosis is and why we recommend a particular treatment. A well-informed patient understands their eye condition better, follows advice correctly and achieves better outcomes.
You will also be able to ask any questions during your appointment. We will be happy to answer them.
It depends on factors such as your age, personal and family history and whether you have an eye condition.
As a general rule, adults without risk factors should have an eye examination every one to two years. Your ophthalmologist will advise how often you should attend based on your individual circumstances.
Your first appointment includes a comprehensive assessment of your eye health: refraction and visual acuity testing, examination of the front and back of the eye (including the retina and optic nerve), usually with pupil dilation, measurement of intraocular pressure and a retinal OCT scan.
If we consider it necessary during the examination, we may also recommend more specific tests, such as wide-field retinal imaging or a visual field test.
If your child has no symptoms and there is no family history of eye disease, a first eye examination is recommended before they start school.
However, if your child was born prematurely, there is any concern about an eye problem or there is a family history, an earlier examination is advisable so their eye health can be assessed as soon as possible.
Lazy eye, medically known as amblyopia, is a condition in which one eye does not develop normal vision during childhood.
Early detection is essential, as treatment is often needed to help the affected eye reach its full visual potential. The best results are achieved when treatment begins before the age of seven, although older children—and, in some circumstances, people treated later—may still benefit.
Whenever possible, we will do everything we can to see you on the same day or, at the latest, the following day, except in exceptional circumstances.
Please bear in mind that our appointment schedule is usually full, so you may need to wait before being seen. During an emergency appointment, we will assess only the urgent problem. If you would then like a comprehensive eye examination, we can arrange a separate appointment.
As a general rule, seek urgent eye care if any of the following symptoms occur:
If any of these situations occur, seek an ophthalmic assessment as soon as possible.
Avoid rubbing the eye or trying to remove the object with anything. If the discomfort does not resolve after gently rinsing with clean water, or if you have pain, redness, watering or blurred vision, you should have an ophthalmic examination.
A superficial foreign body can usually be removed during the appointment using anaesthetic eye drops and specialist instruments. We first need to locate it and rule out any deeper injury.
The vast majority of our cataract procedures are performed under topical anaesthesia using anaesthetic eye drops only.
Only in very specific cases is an injection around the eye required, and this is uncommon. If it is needed in your case, we will discuss it with you during your appointment so that you are fully informed and involved in the decision.
No. When cataract surgery is performed under topical anaesthesia, routine pre-operative testing is not required.
We will carry out the necessary eye measurements and a comprehensive examination to assess its condition and plan the procedure as accurately as possible.
No. Stitches are not usually needed during modern cataract surgery.
A stitch may be required in very rare cases, but this is exceptional.
Yes. Apart from a few exceptions, our clinic uses a technique that avoids the need for eye drops after surgery.
This approach is based on a study conducted by our ophthalmologist Dr Pedro Muel together with five ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom. The study analysed 23,600 cataract procedures and showed results that were even better than those achieved with the traditional treatment of eye drops for at least one month.
Yes. At Centro Oftalmológico del Llano, we will explain the available intraocular lens options clearly and realistically so that you can make an informed decision.
Together, we will consider which option best suits your needs, lifestyle and expectations, while clearly explaining the benefits, limitations and possible risks of each type of lens.
Yes. If a close relative has glaucoma, your risk of developing the condition is up to ten times higher than that of the general population.
For this reason, regular eye examinations are recommended so that any changes can be detected early and treated promptly if necessary.
No. Although raised intraocular pressure is the main risk factor for glaucoma, up to one third of cases can develop while eye pressure remains within the normal range.
This is why comprehensive eye examinations are so important: measuring eye pressure alone cannot rule out glaucoma.
There is currently no cure for glaucoma.
However, treatments such as eye drops, laser treatment and surgery can stop or slow the progression of the condition and help preserve vision for as long as possible.
In most cases, yes.
Glaucoma is a chronic condition, so treatment usually needs to continue long term. Regular check-ups are also essential to monitor the condition and adjust treatment when necessary, with the aim of preventing further progression.
No. Eyelid surgery is not always cosmetic. Many conditions require surgery for functional reasons, such as correcting abnormal eyelid positions, treating tumours, repairing injuries after trauma or restoring the ability to close the eyes properly.
In these cases, surgery aims to protect eye health and restore normal eyelid function.
It depends on the individual case.
When surgery has a functional purpose—for example, restoring function affected by disease, correcting a problem that impairs vision or allowing the eyelids to close properly—it may be covered by Spain’s public health system.
However, when the aim is purely cosmetic, such as removing excess eyelid skin without any functional impairment, the procedure is carried out privately.
An oculoplastic surgeon is an ophthalmologist specialising in surgery of the eyelids, orbit and tear drainage system. They are trained to assess each case and recommend the most appropriate treatment, whether the concern is functional or cosmetic.
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects excess eyelid skin and/or prominent fat pads.
On the upper eyelids, it may be performed for functional or cosmetic reasons, provided the problem is not due to true drooping of the upper eyelid. Only an oculoplastic surgeon can distinguish between these conditions and, if necessary, treat both during the same procedure.
On the lower eyelids, surgery usually focuses on removing fat pads and, when necessary, correcting excess skin as well.
YAG laser is used mainly for two treatments:
Posterior capsulotomy is painless.
During an iridotomy, you may notice slight discomfort as the laser pulses are applied, although the procedure is usually well tolerated.
Pain after treatment is uncommon. Before you leave, the ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops to prevent inflammation and possible rises in intraocular pressure.
Treatment usually takes less than 10 minutes, even when both eyes are treated.
In some cases, depending on the characteristics of the patient’s eye, a second session may be needed to complete treatment.
Ophthalmic diagnostic tests allow the ophthalmologist to obtain detailed information about your eye health. They can help detect disease, confirm a diagnosis, plan the most appropriate treatment and monitor its progress accurately.
No. Most ophthalmic tests are quick, painless and non-invasive. In some cases, pupil dilation may be needed to examine the inside of the eye more thoroughly. The ophthalmologist will explain this beforehand and answer any questions you may have.
Not always. The tests performed depend on the reason for your appointment, your symptoms, your age and the findings of the eye examination. The ophthalmologist will recommend only those needed to assess your case as accurately as possible.
Many eye conditions can develop without causing symptoms in their early stages. Diagnostic tests can detect these changes early, allowing timely treatment and helping preserve eye health for longer.
No. Dry eye treatment depends on factors such as the type and severity of dry eye and the individual characteristics of each patient.
In addition to artificial tears, other options include different eye drops, oral medication, laser treatment, combined therapies and specific treatments for pain control. After assessing your case, we will recommend the most suitable option for you.
In many cases, dry eye is a chronic condition and therefore has no permanent cure.
However, personalised treatment and good eye-care habits can control symptoms effectively and help maintain a good quality of life.
Yes. We provide a comprehensive, personalised refraction rather than a standard sight test. When necessary, we include pupil dilation to achieve maximum accuracy and avoid possible prescription errors.
For children, refraction must always be performed under cycloplegia (dilation with eye drops), as this is essential for a reliable result.
We will also advise you on the most suitable type of glasses, so you can visit your preferred optician with an accurate prescription and the information needed to choose the best option for your needs together.
Yes. During the examination, we will update your prescription.
For maximum accuracy, avoid wearing contact lenses for 48 hours before your appointment, as they can temporarily alter the shape of the cornea and affect the refraction result.
For children, always. Cycloplegic dilation is essential for an accurate refraction.
For adults, pupil dilation is not necessary in most cases, although the ophthalmologist will recommend it when it is the best way to complete a thorough examination.
Yes. Before fitting your contact lenses, we carry out a refraction and an initial assessment to determine which lenses are most suitable for you.
We will also give you practical guidance on how to insert and remove them correctly and how to care for them safely and comfortably.
Once your lenses have been fitted, we will arrange regular check-ups to confirm that the fit remains correct, make any necessary adjustments and ensure your eyes tolerate them well.
Of course. This is a very common concern, particularly for first-time contact lens wearers.
Our colleague Ana has extensive experience in contact lens fitting and will support you throughout the process. She will answer all your questions and patiently show you, with practical advice, how to insert, remove and care for your lenses so that adapting to them is as quick, straightforward and comfortable as possible.