Top int’l award goes to Asian Eye specialistASIAN Eye Institute cornea and refractive service director and glaucoma specialist Dr. Robert Ang received the Presidential Recognition Award at the annual meeting of the International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS) in San Francisco, California on October 11, 2019.

The Presidential Reconition Award is the highest honor that the society grants its members. It aims to recognize a surgeon’s dedication and contributions to the field of refractive surgery and to the society.

“It is such an honor to be regarded highly by my colleagues internationally,” Ang said. “Asian Eye and I invest in a lot of research because we know how much difference it can make in our patients’ lives. By discovering innovative yet effective and safe ways to treat various eye conditions, we are not only able to help protect and preserve their vision. We are also able to help them live and enjoy good quality of life. That has always been our goal.”

Ang is one of only two recipients this year and the lone Filipino who has ever received the prestigious international award.

The Presidential Recognition Award is not the first special award of Ang. Among his notable recognitions include the Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (APACRS) Certified Educators Award in 2013; Top Gun Instructors Award from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) in 2017; and the Power List Top 100 from “The Ophthalmologist” magazine in 2018.

Ang and the Asian Eye research team have also received Best Paper recognitions from ASCRS, APACRS and the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology.

Today, Asian Eye has one of the most comprehensive refractive solutions in the Philippines, including photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASIK, Supracor and implantable contact lenses (ICLs). This enables the 18-year-old institute to provide patients with solutions that are tailored to their needs and lifestyles.

Asian Eye chief operating officer Alwin Sta. Rosa said: “We are very proud of Dr. Ang. This award is a realization and a testament to our founders’ vision, which is to provide Filipinos access to quality eye care and the latest eye care innovations. Now, they don’t have to seek eye treatment abroad because it is available here. We also find that many foreign patients choose to get their eye treatment here.”

Ang’s research interests involve cataract, glaucoma and refractive errors. Apart from authoring several local and international publications, he has been a key resource speaker at various international conferences.

A partner of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, ISRS is the leading worldwide organization for refractive and cataract surgeons.