Felipe VI left an Oviedo eye clinic on foot after routine cataract surgery on his left eye. Surgeon Luis Fernández-Vega expects a quick recovery, with drops for several days and no physical exertion.
The procedure lasted about 30 minutes and began at approximately 21:30 on Saturday, 24 October. Felipe VI walked out of the Instituto Oftalmológico Fernández-Vega the following morning, after spending the night at the clinic, wearing sunglasses after the routine operation on his left eye, performed by ophthalmologist Luis Fernández-Vega. He left on foot at about 09:55 on Sunday, 25 October, and told waiting reporters, “Todo bien” (“All good”). The Royal Household said the surgery had concluded without complications.
Fernández-Vega told RTVE’s 24 Horas channel that the surgery went as expected and that the king was pleased with the result. He said recovery should be quick: aftercare involves using eye drops for a few days and avoiding strenuous or sudden physical exertion. Sunglasses will protect the eye and remind the king that he has recently had surgery. The doctor said Felipe VI could lead a normal life and continue his official schedule. Information from information attributed to Zarzuela, no second procedure on the right eye was planned.
The operation took place after Felipe VI completed a three-day official visit to Asturias, including the Pueblo Ejemplar event and the Princess of Asturias Awards. The Pueblo Ejemplar event ended late, so he stayed overnight in Oviedo rather than travel on to a hotel. The Royal Household announced the successful operation at about 22:30 on Saturday. Fernández-Vega said the procedure would not prevent the king from carrying out his official agenda.
At 58, Felipe VI is within an age range the clinic regularly treats, according to the surgeon. Fernández-Vega said the centre operates on many people around 60 each week, although cataracts are more common at older ages.
The king has also appeared in Oviedo for the Asturias Awards, where he spoke about human experience in the age of AI. Fernández-Vega said the clinic had previously treated members of the Royal Family, including the king’s grandmother doña María about 30 years ago, as well as some of his sisters and other relatives, Europa Press reported.
