Fuerteventura's Intravitreal Therapy Unit Receives Certification from the Spanish Retina Society
The Intravitreal Therapy Unit of the General Hospital of Fuerteventura, part of the Canary Islands Health Department, has been accredited by the Spanish Society of Retina and Vitreous (SERV). The certification confirms that the unit meets the highest quality and safety standards for treating retinal diseases, making the hospital one of the pioneers in the Canary Islands to obtain this recognition.
What Intravitreal Therapy Involves
Intravitreal therapy consists of delivering medication directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye. The procedure is performed in a specially equipped clean‑room, under strict aseptic conditions and with topical anesthesia, allowing for an effective, safe and well‑tolerated treatment with minimal discomfort for the patient.
Conditions Treated
The unit primarily manages:
- Age‑related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Diabetic macular edema
- Uveitic macular edema
- Retinal vascular occlusions
- Certain intra‑ocular infections
Treatments are administered in weekly sessions, with an average of 30 patients per day, depending on clinical demand.
Activity Since Inception
Operating since February 2017, the unit has:
- Treated a total of 728 patients in the intravitreal circuit
- Performed 7,041 injections
Multidisciplinary Team
The service is run by a coordinated team comprising six ophthalmologists, nursing staff and auxiliary nursing technicians.
Certification Details
The SERV certification is valid for three years, until 2029, confirming that the General Hospital of Fuerteventura complies with the rigorous standards required in ophthalmology. It reinforces the unit’s commitment to safe, effective, patient‑centered care. This is the second hospital in the Canary Islands to receive the certification, following the Gran Canaria University Hospital Complex‑Materno‑Infantil, which was awarded in 2023.
Referral from Primary Care
Patients experiencing any visual disturbance should first consult their primary‑care physician, who will assess the need for referral to an ophthalmology specialist. The specialist then determines whether treatment in the Intravitreal Therapy Unit is required.
Key warning signs to watch for include flashes of light (photopsia), a sudden increase in floaters (myodesopsia), or visual distortion (metamorphopsia).
Original source: www.noticiasfuerteventura.com