New Zealand-based engineer Terrence Ibasco is a musician by nightLike most kids, Terrence Ibasco, 28, had no idea he had terrible eyesight until he started wearing glasses.

“I was 14 years old when I had my first pair of eyeglasses and I absolutely hated them with a passion. Simple activities like playing sports or swimming were horrendously difficult to do,” Ibasco said.

When he got his eyes checked, he found out that he suffered from astigmatism.

Asian Eye Institute’s cornea and refractive surgeon Dr. Emerson Cruz said that astigmatism happens when there are irregularities in the shape of the cornea, the clear front cover of the eye.

“Astigmatism can be present at birth or can be developed gradually. People with this eye condition usually experience blurred or wavy vision, whether the object is near or at a distance. Some complain of headaches, while others have eyestrain or even eye discomfort,” he said.

Now based in New Zealand, Ibasco has a pretty busy lifestyle. “I work as an electrical engineer in the morning and I spend the night as a musician. So I invested time researching about LASIK and asking people who have had it done.”

LASIK corrects refractive errors, conditions that are more commonly known as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Cruz said: “These refractive errors cause blurry vision. Using a laser, we reshape the cornea to improve vision. Since it is alllaser or bladeless, it is quick and painless and the downtime is very minimal. Our patients can experience improvement in vision immediately after the surgery.”

After getting LASIK, Ibasco’s vision was even better than 20/20.

“Getting LASIK is easily one of the best decisions of my life,” he recalled. “I felt tired and fragile after the surgery, but I am tremendously satisfied with the outcome. I was already at the mall three days after!”

However, not everyone may undergo LASIK.

Cruz explained: “All patients will have to undergo LASIK screening. Aside from the eye grade, we also consider several factors like their eye history and the thickness of their cornea. Most importantly, we check if they have other eye conditions affecting their vision. The results contribute to the success of the surgery. If the patient is not a good candidate for LASIK, we can then recommend the most appropriate treatment for him or her.”

Ibasco still enjoys doing the same things he used to do, but said that he appreciates them more now.

“I am glad I can do whatever and whenever I want without relying on anything. I am blessed to have a second chance at enjoying perfect vision.”

Book your LASIK screening at Asian Eye Institute today! LASIK screenings are done at Asian Eye’s Rockwell Makati, TriNoma and Mall of Asia clinics. For inquiries and appointments, call 898-2020. (Story/Photos by: Charizze Henson)