Eye Programs

• Ophthalmologist

  An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in all areas of eye disorders. An ophthalmologist is trained to diagnose and treat all eye diseases, perform eye surgery and prescribe eye wear for the correction of vision problems. Most often an ophthalmologist is involved in scientific research for causes and treatment or cures of eye disorders.

• Optometrist

  Optometrists differs from an ophthalmologists in that they are not medical doctors and though they are trained in the diagnosis of certain eye conditions and prescribing medications for certain eye diseases their main focus is on providing primary eye care such eye exams and vision correction.

• Optician

  Opticians are technicians rely on prescriptions given by ophthalmologists or optometrists to fit eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct vision. They are not trained to diagnose or treat eye disorders.

Eye care in Cuba whether in the Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology or other eye clinics in Cuba includes diagnosis, medical and/or surgical treatment as well as emergency services. All eye clinics in Cuba are equipped with state-of-the-art technology for the diagnosis of various eye diseases and innovative surgical techniques.

Cuba’s advancement and contribution in ophthalmology is internationally recognized and has through the development of Operation Miracle, a joint operation between Cuba and Venezuela started on July 8, 2004, improved or restored vision to an estimated 2.2 – 3.4 individuals through simple eye care and eye surgeries.
The success of Operation Miracle has prompted the setup of ophthalmological centers in 31 countries with 55 surgical centers mostly in Latin America, the Caribbean as well as some in Africa and Asia. Since 1991, Cuba has become a leader in health tourism for eye surgery and eye care.