Felipe VI, successfully operated on cataracts in his left eye, leaves the clinic on foot and with sunglasses: "Very good, very good, thank you!"

King Felipe VI left a clinic in Oviedo on Sunday morning following a successful surgery for cataracts in his left eye. The monarch departed the Fernandez-Vega Ophthalmology Institute at 9:55 a.m., walking under his own power while wearing sunglasses. He greeted waiting journalists with a smile, stating he felt very well before boarding a car bound for Madrid. The Royal Palace confirmed the procedure was performed without complications and that the King will resume his institutional schedule normally on Monday. The surgical intervention took place on Saturday evening around 9:00 p.m. It lasted approximately thirty minutes. The King had been staying in Oviedo since Thursday due to activities related to the Princess of Asturias Awards. After attending a ceremony in Llanes on Saturday noon, where he visited a town designated as the Exemplary Village of the Principality, the monarch entered the institute. Queen Letizia, the Princess of Asturias, and Infanta Sofia returned to Madrid immediately after that engagement, leaving the King to undergo the operation. Because the surgery started late, medical staff decided he would sleep at the clinic rather than traveling to a hotel. Luis Fernandez-Vega, the ophthalmologist who operated on the King, described the procedure as perfect and routine. He noted that recovery will be rapid. The King requires only eye drops for several days and must avoid sudden physical exertion during the initial period. Dr. Fernandez-Vega explained that the sunglasses serve as protection and a reminder for the patient not to rub the eye. The doctor stated that vision will improve progressively. He added that cataracts are common among individuals around sixty years old, though less frequent at fifty-eight. The surgeon mentioned that other members of the royal family have received treatment at the institute over the past three decades, including the King’s grandmother Maria and some of his sisters. This marks the first public health incident for King Felipe VI in three years. In October 2023, he wore a cast on his right hand after breaking his scaphoid bone in a fall while playing padel. In February 2022, he tested positive for coronavirus and remained isolated for seven days. His right eye is currently unaffected by the condition and does not require surgery. Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens. The procedure is generally brief and uses local anesthesia. Most patients recover quickly by following postoperative instructions. The King is scheduled to attend the opening act of the Royal Academies on Monday at 6:00 p.m. Zarzuela indicated there is nothing preventing him from maintaining his agenda this week. The medical team emphasized that his current status allows for a return to normal life. The clinic released him after overnight observation. The monarch’s departure was calm, with no visible signs of distress. Media representatives gathered at the entrance captured images of him exiting the facility. The journey back to the capital followed immediately after his discharge. The specific timing of the surgery aligned with the end of his public duties in the region. The success of the operation ensures he can continue his official responsibilities without interruption. The medical staff praised the smooth execution of the standard surgical protocol.