The Germans Trias Ophtalmology Service is in charge of the diagnosis and therapeutic management of infectious, degenerative, tumoral and trauma pathologies and of the visual system's congenital and acquired malformations.

It is organized in subspecialities, and each one is in charge of an area or visual system disease. This subspecialization makes the Ophtalmology Service the benchmark in the area of the Northern Barcelonès and the Maresme in ophtalmologic pathologies requiring highly complex and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic techniques typical of a third-level hospital.

The Service professionals also work closely with other hospital professionals: they actively participate in the Thyroidal Pathology Committee, the HIV Unit (Fight Aids Foundation), the Uveitis Unit - Rheumathology or the Phakomatosis Unit.

The Service aims at offering patients the best quality healthcare, and that is why the main diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are carried out according to a series of protocols previously agreed to by the members of the team.

Fuchs endothelial dystrophy is a disease that affects the cornea and is characterized by progressive loss of endothelial cells, which are born in the most inner layer. As a consequence, the cornea loses its ability to maintain its hydrated state and overhydrates (corneal decompensation), causing loss of transparency that interferes with the patient's vision.

In its most advanced stages, this persistent oedema may produce microcysts and blisters that cause pain and discomfort due to the breaking and exposure of nerve endings.

Topical treatment with a 5% sodium chloride ointment or eyewash or wearing therapeutic contact lenses may be temporary solutions. But the main treatment for these patients is corneal transplantation. Until a few years ago, the entire cornea was transplanted (penetrating keratoplasty); today, the corneal endothelial, which is the affected layer of the cornea, is transplanted, with a very good rate of success. This transplantation is technically known as DSAEK (Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty) or DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty).

POAG is a neurodegenerative disease of the optical nerve characterized by the accelerated death of retinal ganglion cells, axonal loss, optical nerve lesion and loss of the field of vision. It is typically of adult onset, and it is usually associated to intraocular pressure (IOP) above 21 mmHg. It is one of the main causes of blindness in the world and affects approximately 1% of the population over 40.

The diagnosis is done by finding an increased IOP, observing typical changes to the optic papilla, alterations of the field of vision, and finding an open angle in gonioscopy.

Treatment aims at preventing functional affectation of the vision and slowing down the loss of ganglion cells. Currently, the best method is to lower pressure by means of topical or systemic hypotension drugs, laser or aqueous humour evacuation surgery (trabeculectomy, non-penetrating deep sclerectomy, PDS and draining devices).

The Ophtalmology Service participates in several clinical trials and national and international multicentric studies and supports clinical studies arising from daily applying the most innovative treatments and surgical techniques.

The members of the Service take active part in local, national and European workgroups in their subspecialities and are part of the work committees to develop protocols for the most common pathologies.

Undergraduate teaching

The Service teaches theoretical and practical courses to the fourth year students of the UAB School of Medicine at the Can Ruti campus. It has a course coordinator lecturer and two associate lecturers.

Postgraduate teaching

The service has one accredited spot per year for postgraduate teaching (MIR) since 2006. The four residents in training actively participate in healthcare and surgery, in addition to specific clinical and training activities, as well as in the clinical and basic research projects. Occasionally, the service also welcomes Ophtalmology residents from other centres who are interested in its techniques for variable training periods.

Residents 2022

Teaching guide.

Continuous training

The Ophtalmology Service at the Germans Trias Hospital organizes a monthly monographic session for members of the service with a renown guest specialist, attended by colleagues from other regional centres.