Angelica DalupanAngelica Dalupan has a whole new outlook on life, and it is all because of LASIK. An eyeglass wearer for three decades, she could not believe that she could have clear vision again.

“It was like a rebirth since I’ve been wearing glasses for 30 years prior to my LASIK surgery,” she says. “It was always hard to swim, drive and enjoy watching movies. After the surgery, I find doing those activities more enjoyable than before. Trying out new ones excites me, too! The best part, though, is that I no longer worry about my vision getting worse.”

Quick and painless

LASIK is the most popular method of eliminating or reducing use of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Quick and painless, LASIK is an ideal solution for people age 18 to 39 who are suffering from refractive errors—nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

According to Asian Eye Institute cornea and refractive surgery, glaucoma and cataract specialist Dr. Robert Ang, many are turning to LASIK because of the inconveniences of wearing glasses or contact lenses.

“With LASIK, they wake up with clear vision. They don’t need to worry about forgetting their glasses somewhere and feel helpless without them; they’re less prone to eye dryness or infection due to contact lens wear; and they can save money on replacements or repairs.” A few years ago, LASIK could only treat distance vision. But the advent of new technology now allows the improvement of both distance and near vision.

Supracor

“There is now a laser treatment for people who wear reading glasses or progressive glasses,” explains Ang. “Supracor is for people in their 40s, 50s or 60s who have a hard time doing near work like reading or have had cataract surgery but are still wearing reading glasses.” At present, only Asian Eye offers Supracor in the Philippines.

Ang stresses the importance of refractive screening before the surgery.

Right for patients

“We want to be sure that LASIK is right for our patients. Aside from eye grade, we also evaluate other factors like their eye health and history, corneal thickness and even lifestyle. This will allow us to ensure the accuracy of the treatment. If they’re not qualified, we can recommend other treatment like implantable contact lenses or ICLs.”

While cost is a major consideration, it is important for patients to consider the expertise of their doctor and the technology used. LASIK is a safe and precise procedure, so ask your doctor how many surgeries he or she has performed, what technology he or she uses and how many patients have experienced complications. Choose a LASIK surgeon who can address all your concerns and who you can feel comfortable with. (Story/Photos by: Charizze Henson)