Clear vision in (almost) the blink of an eye

The faculty of sight is deemed to be so important that even religion attaches special significance to the eye. Take, for instance, the all-seeing “Eye of God,” whose Christian symbol consists of a single eye inside an equilateral triangle; the “Eye of Ra,” the ancient Egyptian belief in a powerful destructive force linked to the sun; or even the “Evil Eye” that is believed to cause bad luck and misfortune. There is no doubt that vision is important. And while the famous deaf and blind author and educator Helen Keller, who was able to overcome the handicap, said, “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but has no vision,” ordinary folk like us would consider it a major tragedy if we were to lose the use of even one eye.  True, “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus,” like American author and humorist Mark Twain sardonically quipped.  But when your eyes are so terribly out of focus that you have to rely solely on imagination, the consequences can be just as dire.

Apart from accidents and physical injury, loss of vision may be caused by diseases, such as diabetes, that damage the blood vessels to the eye. Other common causes of deteriorating eyesight are macular degeneration, an age-related condition where the macula or the central portion of the retina is destroyed, thereby impairing central vision; cataracts where the lens becomes cloudy; and glaucoma, when fluids in the eye build up, resulting in increased pressure and damage to the nerves.

More common vision concerns include myopia or nearsightedness, a condition where the eyes can see close objects but are unable to see distant objects clearly; hyperopia or farsightedness; astigmatism or distortion or tilting of images due to asymmetric bending of light rays; and presbyopia, an age-related loss of the focusing power for nearby objects. But while eyeglasses and contact lenses can remedy less serious vision problems, more people are opting for LASIK, the acronym for Laser-Assisted in Situ-Keratomileusis. Simply put, this is a laser treatment that eliminates the need for contact lenses and eyeglasses.

At the American Eye Center in Greenbelt 5, we were recently introduced to the most advanced technology for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This is the all-laser LASIK surgery via the Wavelight Refractive Suite. This combines the Wavelight EX500, a 500Hz repetition excimer laser and the Wavelight FS200, a 200 kHz Femtosecond laser, which are two of the most advanced lasers currently available for performing LASIK surgery. By acquiring the new equipment that is  “the first of its kind in the Philippines and is recognized as the world’s fastest refractive platform,” the American Eye Center is standing by its commitment “to be at par with global standards of quality and excellence in ophthalmic laser treatment.” The American Eye Center holds the distinction of being the country’s premier ophthalmic laser center since 1995.

“The All-Laser LASIK is a blade-free LASIK,” explains Dr. Alnette Lee-Tan, cornea and refractive surgery specialist. Among the advantages of the new equipment are increased precision and speed, as well as safety because there is “direct visualization of the entire procedure.” She continues, “The procedure takes out the psychological stigma of the idea that a blade will be applied to the eye.” Dr. Tan points out, “The Wavelight Refractive Suite significantly ups the safety factor. The laser has a tracking system to follow the eye as it moves.”

The Wavelight Refractive Suite at the America Eye Center is recognized as the world’s fastest refractive platform. Photos by JOVEN CAGANDE

An actual demonstration of the procedure with a female patient took a few minutes, and apart from temporary blurring of eyesight from the eye-drop anesthetic applied, the subject claimed that there was no discomfort.

“After the patient steps out of the LASIK suite, she can go straight home. There will be a small amount of discomfort -- a sandy or foreign body sensation, sensitivity to light, and continuous tearing. This usually lasts for three to four hours; I advise the patient to sleep it off,” explains Dr. Benjamin Gerardo Cabrera, cataract, external diseases, low vision, and vision rehabilitation specialist. A growing number of patients who have opted for the procedure at the center are pleased with the comfort and convenience of not having to bother wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses.

 “What sets the American Eye Center apart as a group practice with an in-house referral system is that the doctors are carefully selected and screened,” says Dr. Cabrera. “For us, an important core value is empathy and compassion for patients.”

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American Eye Center is a Philhealth accredited facility with locations at: Level 5, Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA corner Shaw Blvd., Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City with telephone number 636-0762 and Level 4,Greenbelt 5, Makati City with telephone number729-3937. For more information, log on to www.eyecenter.com.ph or e-mail info@eyecenter.com.ph.