Dr. Zlatko Arnaudovski / Macedonia

Dr. Zlatko Arnaudovski

Medical director / Ophthalmic Surgeon
@ Sistina Oftalmologija

Medical speciality: cataract surgery/ refractive surgery/ glaucoma/ tear duct treatmant.


I make jokes with the patients because it affects their good mood and health in general.

Dr. Zlatko Arnaudovski is an ophthalmologist, with many years of medical experience and hundreds of loyal patients, which will not go to another doctor if they cannot go to him. He is the medical director of “Sistina Ophthalmology” and strives for the hospital to be in constant step with the world trends and technology in the field of ophthalmology. Together with their colleagues, they are the first medical team to apply the philosophy of Patient Experience. In the field of his special interest is refractive – cataract surgery and the treatment and surgery of glaucoma.

  • Why when cataract is mentioned, it is immediately followed by: look for Arnaudovski? How do you treat cataracts?

This question is probably best answered by my patients. I, on the other hand, can say that I have many years of experience, I am dedicated and I love my profession. Probably that’s what instills confidence in patients.

Cataract is one of the most common diseases in older patients and is a result of the natural aging of the body, and thus the eyes. Unlike before, patients do not have to bother with blurred and unclear vision for a long time, i.e. we do not have to wait for the curtain to mature. Cataracts, with the advancement of technology, can now be operated on at an early stage, with very little incision, and recovery is rapid. The patient goes home immediately after the operation. Also, if once patients had one or two types of lenses available, now there is a wide range of lenses that can be implanted after surgery. The most modern and best solution are multifocal lenses, which have three focuses of vision – near, far and medium distance.   

  • What influences the patient’s decision as to what kind of lens to implant after the operation?

The decision for the type of lens, which is implanted after the operation, is the result of a mutual agreement with the patient. I try to dedicate myself completely to each patient, to listen to them carefully and to suggest a treatment that suits their life needs. With a lot of positive energy in communication, patients’ doubts and fears, before and after surgery, are overcome. In this way, they decide on the best solution for their eye sight. Multifocal lenses are a great solution for people who do not have retinal diseases, and wear glasses for two distances.

 

  • What is the benefit of multifocal lenses when it comes to implantation in patients who have not developed cataracts?

For many people, wearing glasses, especially for those that wear two pairs, can be uncomfortable and they often look for other solutions. The solution of the refractive error, i.e. the correction of the diopter with the implantation of multifocal lenses, can be done in all persons over 30 years old, who have healthy eyes and do not have retinal diseases (which are in the group of diseases that are contraindicated for multifocal lenses) and wear glasses for two distances. Multifocal lenses are a great solution, and the benefit, in terms of quality of life and comfort they offer, is the initial reason for their installation. The restrictions that patients used to have with eye aids are no longer there and that gives them a lot of freedom. We go beyond just great medical results and a solution to their problem. We also care about the way we do it, to help patients feel better, to provide them with better comfort in life. Each patient is unique and we approach them individually, with a solution adequate and unique only for them. Multifocal lenses are special for each patient, and due to the new technology, we have the opportunity to choose lenses that suit not only the eyes, but also the lifestyle, depending on what the patient does, what is their hobby, what was their eyesight before surgery and of course, depending on they wishes.

  • Glaucoma treatment and surgery are also of special interest to you. Why is this disease called the “silent killer” of eyesight?

Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve, which if left untreated can lead to narrowing of the visual field, destruction of the optic nerve and more significantly, permanent loss of vision. It comes without symptoms and is therefore called the “silent thief” or “silent killer” of eyesight. The symptoms of glaucoma depend on the stage and type of disease and can be unrecognizable for a long time. Unfortunately, advanced glaucoma damage is often detected in everyday practice, and the person may not have noticed anything. Glaucoma is most often detected during the first detailed ophthalmological examination, when patients experience presbyopic errors (aging farsightedness) and when they schedule an examination to determine diopters. According to some studies, only half of the people with glaucoma are aware of their disease. In the early stages it is usually asymptomatic. Elevated intraocular pressure is considered a major risk factor for glaucoma.

  • How do patients react when you tell them they have such a serious illness?

Each patient responds differently. We are the first hospital in the region to apply the philosophy of Patient experience. The basis of this philosophy is that each patient is unique and we approach them individually with a solution adequate and unique to them. Our care for them begins before we meet in our hospital. And it does not end when they leave. We continuously monitor the condition of the patients and we are in communication with them, fully available for all their doubts and fears. This approach helps us in creating daily positive experiences for patients, i.e. it is a way for them to more easily deal with the problem and the solution process. This is very important for the patient, when they become aware, i.e. when you tell them that they have a serious illness, or when they have to decide on one of the solutions offered by ophthalmology.

  • What characterizes your attitude towards patients?

I try to communicate in a friendly way with each of my patients. I want patients to relax, help them overcome fear and negative emotions. It is characteristic of me that I often joke with patients, because I know that laughter improves their mood and has a positive effect on overall health. It is no coincidence that laughter is said to be the best medicine. There is now scientific evidence to support this claim.

  • Do you perform all types of interventions in Coronavirus conditions, i.e. did you meet all the patients who needed medical care?

Yes, of course, we did not stop working at all, but in full compliance with all safety protocols and measures. The safety of staff and patients is of paramount importance to us, which is why it is at the highest possible level from the very beginning. We have all accepted the new present and we function that way. Our work is such that we must be available to patients, we must provide uninterrupted and continuous medical care. We have actually been doing that, during the whole pandemic, working and providing help to everyone who needs it. As for the patients, of course there is fear, but it is overcome when they see how we work and how safe it is, as well as the desire to solve the problem. The new reality imposes the digitalization and the need for new communication channels, in order to maintain continuity in medical care. We are the first hospital in the region to introduce the possibility of online consultation via video call. That way, all those patients who are not able to come or fall into the risk category, can get in touch with our doctor, who will offer an appropriate solution specifically for their problem.

  • In addition to the hospital in Skopje, Sistina Ophthalmology has a network of diagnostic centers. Does such an organization bring benefits to patients?

“Sistina Ophthalmology” started working in 2010, with only 9 employees, so that today it has 62 employees, of which 12 ophthalmologists, 2 professors, 4 doctors of science. From the very beginning in the hospital, we offered a complete diagnostic and surgical treatment of all vision problems. As the scope of our work increased, due to the needs of our patients, we opened several diagnostic centers. First was Bitola in 2017, then in 2019 Tetovo and Gostivar, and in 2021 we opened the diagnostic center in Stip. In this way we are closer and faster available, patients do not have to travel to Skopje, except when it comes to interventions. And then, after the operation, the examinations are performed in the diagnostic center, which is closest to them, where doctors from Skopje practice. The centers are properly equipped with the most modern equipment for performing all types of examinations and diagnosing all ocular conditions, and thus an appropriate solution can be offered to the patient.

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