Asian Eye’s ongoing promo gives patients 40% off on one cataract screening or 50% off on two screeningsCataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in both eyes in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Eye Research Institute’s Philippine National Blindness Survey and Eye Disease Study, cataract affected a population of over one million, with 333,639 of them needing surgery.

But what is cataract and how does it affect vision? Imagine looking through fogged-up eyeglasses or windows—that is how people with cataract see. It happens when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes clouded. Initially, it causes blurred vision. But, as it advances, it grows bigger, blocks passage of light and interferes with vision.

Dr. Emerson Cruz, cornea and refractive surgeon and cataract specialist at Asian Eye Institute, explains that only surgery may be done to remove cataracts.

“At first, eyeglasses and stronger lighting can help a cataract patient to see well. But they may be recommended to undergo cataract surgery once their cataract grows big enough that it prevents them from doing simple activities like reading and driving at night.

“Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly done procedures in the country,” Cruz says. “What we do is we create an incision on the eye’s cornea, break down the lens with cataract, suction the cataract and replace it with an artificial lens which is referred to as an intraocular lens (IOL).”

Types of cataract surgery

There are two types of surgery done at Asian Eye— conventional cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) and VICTUS femtolaser cataract surgery

“In phacoemulsification, we manually do an incision and create an opening in the cataract. We will also make use of ultrasound waves to break the lens apart,” Cruz explains. “The VICTUS femtolaser cataract surgery is laser-assisted. This means that the laser will do all these three steps.”

Is laser cataract surgery safe?

Both are proven safe and effective. “The difference is that the VICTUS femtolaser makes the surgery easy and fast. Patients will also experience faster healing with reduced risk for eye infections or inflammations. And since the laser creates a perfectly round opening in the capsule, there is a more stable position for the IOL, allowing the patient to have better and clearer vision,” Cruz notes.

Do patients need still need to wear eyeglasses after cataract surgery?

The short answer is that it depends. Cruz shares that there are different types of IOLs—monofocals, toric, accommodative and multifocals.

“IOLs are like prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. Each comes with a focusing power or eye grade. Monofocal IOLs are for near or distance only; toric IOLs are for those with astigmatism. Meanwhile, accommodative and multifocal IOLs work like progressive lenses, so patients can see clearly at all distances, near, far and intermediate.”

Patients can choose which type of surgery they prefer to undergo, but your eye doctor may recommend which type of IOL will be appropriate for you.

“These are dependent on factors and conditions such as the kind of lifestyle you have, your priorities after the surgery and the existence of other eye conditions like glaucoma or retinal problems. All these will be considered when deciding on the IOL.

“That is why it is important to undergo cataract screening and to talk to your eye doctor. Discuss the questions you may have about the surgery, IOLs and other requirements you will be needing. Normally, patients are asked to get clearances from their heart doctors and some laboratory tests done prior to surgery,” Cruz says.

It will help to plan your surgery. “Vision may be blurry a few days or weeks after surgery, but it will gradually improve. Patients will also have to come back a day, a week and a month after surgery. These postoperative checkups are crucial as these will allow us to monitor the healing of their eyes and the improvement in their vision.”

Undergo cataract screening or surgery and enjoy special discounts. Get 40% off on one cataract screening or 50% off on two cataract screenings. Plus, you can enjoy up to 30% off on selected cataract surgeries when you undergo surgery within a week after screening.

Want to set an appointment? Asian Eye has clinics in Rockwell Makati, TriNoma, SM Mall of Asia and Commercenter Alabang. Call 8- 898-2020 or 0918-898-2020, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit www.asianeyeinstitute.com. (Story/Photos by: Charizze Henson)