Enjoying Life without Eyeglasses - LASIK

“I wish I was not fearful at first and did LASIK long ago,” Rashmi Dowlani happily shared three months after her LASIK surgery.

“I am extremely satisfied with my vision – I was able to watch movies in the big screen without glasses, and it felt great! I drive at night without worrying that I may not see road signs. The best part of it is I can go through my daily activities without feeling the guilt that I am not wearing my eyeglasses.”

Early this year, as she was nearing her birthday, she realized how being nearsighted made it hard for her to do daily tasks. And so she decided to give herself a gift – LASIK surgery. “It was always hard for me to drive, so mostly, I relied on Waze for its voice prompts. I would also miss out on the subtitles while watching movies, and worse, I would not notice my friends whenever I was in a mall.”

Rashmi manages her own catering business, Saffron Plates – Indian Home Kitchen. With her business becoming more popular, she took it as added incentive to let go of her fear and do something about her poor vision. She shared, “Work was getting more demanding. I had to drive more, be in front of a laptop more and be on-the-go with my business. So, I decided not to let my fear come in the way and push through.”

According to Asian Eye Institute Refractive/LASIK Service Director and Glaucoma Specialist Dr. Robert Ang, a lot of people are interested in LASIK because they want a hassle-free life. “LASIK is a quick and painless method of correcting refractive errors. When we say refractive errors, we are talking about blurred vision due to nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These occur when the eyeball is unusually long or short, or the cornea is not evenly shaped.”

“We make use of laser to reshape the cornea, so in 10 to 15 minutes, it can eliminate their need for prescription glasses or contact lenses,” he added.

LASIK is an investment in oneself – it improves not just the vision, but the quality of the lives of patients. “Our LASIK patients are usually excited to wake up, knowing that they won’t have to wear their eyeglasses to check the time or their phone messages. Some are now into sports or travelling, and there are patients like Rashmi who found satisfaction in being able to do simple tasks or activities like watching movies or working on their computers.”

LASIK also means freedom from worrying about infections due to contact lens use and it even allows them save money from buying multiple pairs of glasses.

However, not everyone can undergo LASIK surgery. “In LASIK, we do not just factor in the eye grade of the patient. We also have to check their overall eye health, the thickness of their cornea, their lifestyle and even their age. This is why we recommend them to do LASIK screening before their surgery,” Dr. Ang explained. LASIK screening is a series of tests that will determine if LASIK is the right treatment for the patient.

The technology today is more advanced, making LASIK safe and precise. But like any other surgery, there are potential risks like overcorrection or undercorrection, eye infections, and flap complications. “That is why we recommend patients to assess their LASIK provider carefully and not just look at the price. Doing so can help reduce these risks and achieve best possible visual outcome,” he said.

For Rashmi, it is important to find a doctor you can trust and an eye center you can be comfortable in. “What I liked about Asian Eye are the staff and the doctors. They are very hygienic! They constantly wipe their machines when a patient comes in. The staff were also very warm and reassuring, from my screening to my surgery day. They made sure I knew what was going to happen and reassured me that it would only take 15 minutes and that it would not hurt.”

“Lastly, Dr. Ang and his fellows patiently answered all my queries. They coached me throughout the initial tests and even during my surgery. I appreciated it a lot that the Asian Eye team reached out to me and checked on me before and after my surgery.”

With her renewed vision, Rashmi shared an important piece of advice, “With poor vision, one leads a dull life. So, act early, do not take your eyesight for granted, and work on keeping your eyes healthy.”

Asian Eye’s Dr. Robert Ang Wins Gold Medal at Cataract Olympics

At the recent American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Annual Meeting on April 8, 2024, Dr. Robert Ang of Asian Eye was awarded a prestigious Gold medal in the Cataract Olympics for his video presentation titled “Cataract Technology Hurdles.”

Held in Boston, Massachusetts, USA from April 05 to 08, 2024, the annual meeting featured the participation of outstanding ophthalmologists and eye care professionals from across the globe. The Cataract Olympics symposium provided a platform for teams from leading organizations such as ASCRS, APACRS, ESCRS, and LASCRS to showcase their expertise and compete in various cataract categories making Dr. Ang’s achievement even more remarkable.

Dr. Ang’s award-winning video focused on the critical aspect of astigmatism correction during cataract surgery and offered valuable insights into using Toric (astigmatism) IOLs. His impressive win coincides with Cataract Awareness Month this June, a time dedicated to raising awareness about cataracts and educating the public about available treatment options.

This video competition not only showcases the expertise and skills of specialists like Dr. Ang but also provides a platform for sharing knowledge and exchanging ideas with doctors worldwide regarding new technologies and surgical techniques. By leveraging the power of visual media, these educational resources help advance the field of cataract surgery and benefit patients globally.

Cataracts are an age-related eye condition, where the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Sometimes, it feels like looking at a fogged-up glass. If not treated, it can lead to blindness. Fortunately, surgery can be done to remove it. The ophthalmologist will remove the lens with cataract and replace it with an IOL. There are different kinds of IOLs available, all designed to improve vision.

Asian Eye takes great pride in the exceptional skills and expertise of their esteemed medical team, exemplified by the contributions of Dr. Robert Ang. Dedicated to providing patients with the highest standard of care, patients can have peace of mind when it comes to cataract surgery and other vision-related procedures at Asian Eye.

For more information about Dr. Robert Ang and the advanced ophthalmological services offered at Asian Eye, please visit www.asianeyeinstitute.com.

Cataract Awareness Month: Reclaim Your Freedom, Restore Your Sight

June is Cataract Awareness Month, and as a leading eye center in the Philippines, Asian Eye aims to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of cataract screenings and drive more individuals to seek timely treatment for cataracts. Cataracts are a common concern among older Filipinos and one of the major causes of visual impairment. According to the Philippine Eye Research Institute, there are 1.18 million people suffering from cataracts, with roughly 400,000 needing surgery.

Cataracts are the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which can lead to symptoms such as blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, and increased sensitivity to glare. It can lead to blindness if left untreated, so it’s essential to have them removed when they begin to interfere with your daily activities, such as driving, watching TV, or cooking.

Cataract surgery is a common procedure that involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens. Laser cataract surgery offers several advantages over traditional surgery, and Asian Eye is proud to offer patients with cutting-edge solutions for their eye care needs.

Asian Eye utilizes VICTUS Femtolaser technology from the renowned German brand Bausch + Lomb. This advanced technology is able to break up and remove the cloudy lens using significantly less energy, minimizing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues and promoting quicker healing.

Regular visits to your eye doctor are paramount, as they can advise you on the timing of the surgery and explain the benefits and risks involved. If you have an elderly loved one who complains of cloudy or blurry vision, consider giving them the gift of sight with the following Cataract Screening and Surgery deals:

40% off for one (1) cataract screening

50% off for two (2) or more cataract screenings

20% off on cataract surgery

*if scheduled within one (1) week after the screening or deposit is given within (2) weeks

It’s important to make informed decisions with a trusted eye care specialist and to book an appointment with Asian Eye to take proactive steps towards better vision and eye health.

Asian Eye Institute is located at Phinma Plaza, Rockwell Center, Makati with satellite offices located in TriNoma, Quezon City, and Mall of Asia, Pasay City. For inquiries and appointments, you may call 8898- 2020 or send an email to [email protected].

Dr. Robert Ang Recognized as one of the Top 100 in “The Power List 2024” by The Ophthalmologist

Dr. Robert Edward Ang, a distinguished specialist in Cataract, Glaucoma, and Cornea and Refractive Surgery (LASIK) at the Asian Eye Institute, has been honored once again by The Ophthalmologist Magazine in its prestigious 2024 Power List as one of the top 100 most influential eye care professionals in the world. Dr. Ang, notably the only Filipino listed, reaffirms his status with this second recognition. The first time he was listed in the top 100 was in 2018, highlighting his sustained contributions and leadership in the global ophthalmology community.

About Dr. Robert Edward Ang

As the Director of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service at the Asian Eye Institute, Dr. Ang is celebrated for his expertise in LASIK surgery and his pioneering research on technologies that enhance the diagnosis and treatment of various eye conditions. As the Director for Research and Training, his collaborative work with leading pharmaceutical and medical device companies has led to innovations in cataract intraocular lenses, presbyopic laser treatments, and minimally invasive glaucoma devices.

His accolades include multiple Best Paper of Session Awards from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), the Certified Educator Award from the Asia Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (APACRS), the Presidential Recognition Award from the International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS), the Geminiano de Ocampo Outstanding Researcher in Ophthalmology Award from the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) and the Senior Achievement Award from the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO).

Dr. Ang’s consistent recognition on such a significant global platform not only underscores his dedication and skill but also serves as an inspiration to current and aspiring ophthalmologists worldwide. His achievements continue to showcase the excellence and innovation present in Philippine medical practices.

Explore and Connect

Dr. Robert Ang has ongoing research projects on cataract, glaucoma, refractive lenses and laser eye surgery. To learn more about Dr. Ang’s impactful work and explore if, as a patient, you would like to be part of the pioneering research and eye care services at the Asian Eye Institute, please visit our website at asianeyeinstitute.com. For appointments, please refer to the contact details below:

ROCKWELL (Main Clinic)

8th, 9th, and 10th Floors, PHINMA Plaza

Rockwell Center, Makati City

LANDLINE (02) 8-898-2020

MOBILE 0918-898-2020

EMAIL [email protected]

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