Great eye care is more human than it is clinical. As a cornea and refractive surgery specialist at Asian Eye Institute, Dr. Emerson Cruz knows that restoring someone’s vision helps them live life to the fullest.
“What I find most rewarding about my profession is seeing those beaming smiles on my patients’ faces when they realize just how much their world has opened up,” Cruz shares. “It’s like giving them a brandnew lens to experience all the beauty and wonder around them and, honestly, that’s just the best feeling ever.”
Cruz completed his fellowship training under two Harvard-trained doctors, Dr. Robert Ang from Asian Eye and Dr. John Kanellopoulos from Laservision Eye Institute in Greece. Apart from LASIK, he specializes in corneal crosslinking, a new treatment that is designed to manage keratoconus and help improve vision.
Cruz found his calling as a refractive surgeon because of the dynamism of the specialization. Funnily enough, he had a somewhat unconventional route, recalling that he had the least exposure to cornea and refractive surgery during his residency. “You’d think that would push me away, right? But nope—I decided to dive right in and specialize in it!”
Looking back, he couldn’t have been happier with the choice. “This field is just exploding with innovation year after year. There’s always something new and exciting emerging in vision correction technology and it keeps things incredibly thrilling. It’s truly a joy to be a part of it.”
With Asian Eye, Cruz is proud to stand alongside some of the top ophthalmologists in the country. The culture of learning and innovation has helped him evolve his own practice.
“The institute is fantastic at encouraging us to attend both local and international conferences, which is super helpful for keeping up with the latest technologies,” he notes.
Of course, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just about reading the latest journals. Cruz is often hands-on himself, joining other Asian Eye doctors in pursuit of new developments in his field. “We get so much exposure to clinical trials right here in the clinic. It’s like getting a sneak peek into tomorrow’s advancements.”
Accessible eye care
Every doctor remembers the instances when certain cases struck them the most. For Cruz, traveling to far-flung provinces to treat patients is strenuous as it is fulfilling. He reflects on one patient in particular who came in with one working eye. After a successful operation, Cruz couldn’t be happier to see the sense of relief and joy on their face.
“Being able to offer them that last glimmer of hope, to show them there are still ways to salvage their vision, is incredibly rewarding,” he claims. “It’s wonderful to see their spirits lift and to be part of their journey toward regaining their sight and, in turn, their independence.”
Beyond the clinic, Cruz envisions a future where quality eye care is accessible to all. “My biggest hope is that every single Filipino, no matter where they live or their financial situation, will have access to truly equitable eye care, especially when it comes to vision restoration.”
What’s great about the landscape today is the fact that public awareness about eye care has grown. More and more people are curious about LASIK, Ortho-K and other procedures and interventions. Social media has also helped make new advancements more attainable.
Cruz understands that wellness can take different forms and that each patient will always be different when it comes to what they need. “I believe everyone’s health and wellness journey is wonderfully unique,” he says. “What resonates with one person might not quite hit the mark for another and that’s perfectly okay.”
At the end of the day, it’s all about helping people take a more active role in their eye health journeys.
(Story by: Aizel Maquimot)
