Tulabut: Lasik Surgery
Source: sunstar.com.ph/pampanga
Friday, March 27, 2009
THE wonders of technology - I thank God for it.
The skillfulness of man - I am equally grateful for it.
Combined, they bring about the most potent power to make lives easier and more convenient. Take LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) for example. This is an outpatient type of refractive laser eye surgery performed by ophthalmologists for correcting myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
Panagbenga 2009 blog
I have just undergone it three days ago and I thought I may never be able to write my column for today because of post-operative recovery. I may have been wrong as I am able to read and write right now (with self-imposed limitations). Although, I am still recuperating with occasional blurry vision but the fact remains that I can see clearly now. I can see well without my eyeglasses, which have been part of my life for the past 27 years.
Surely, I will miss that treasured pair of spectacle that has been endeared to me. In fact, it has been my partner day and night and no one and nothing has been with me other than those focal pair.
Surely, I may look not as good as I was with those eyeglasses. But this is not about looking good. It is about being able to see good. And lasik treatment has so far given me that.
*****
The Lasik Surgery Clinic at the much improved AUF Medical Center was the venue for the almost painless 40-minute procedure. Its laser machine - the VISX IR IV excimer - is a clinically-tested equipment that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the US. It is a more accurate and more precise laser machine that is preferred by US Navy's Top Gun pilots and even some astronauts at NASA.
We all know how accurate vision is essential to people with such profession and career. I was told that legendary golfer Tiger Woods has also undergone refractive correction using this same kind of machine. I could not imagine a faulty visual correction on this grand slam golfer. That would mean his career as clear sight and focus should not be compromised in a sport cum profession such as that.
What comes more soothing and enticing at this lasik center are its administrators and doctors. Primarily, Drs. Andrew Angeles and Raoul Henson - two young eye experts that are not only concerned with the center's revenues but on the overall outcome of each operation. In fact, what they offer there is almost a bargain as compared to the prices in other lasik centers.
The two doctors do not only have technical and oral mastery as they discussed with me the benefits of lasik treatment. They also permeate optimism as they make patients at ease and with realistic expectation of outcomes.
I remember Dr. Henson foretelling me of a post op next-day-scenario. Quite clearly he stated: "you will see clearly when you wake up." The moment I opened my eyes the next day, voila, I was able to see for the first time without eyeglasses the time on our clock radio I owned from high school days which was about seven feet away and while still laying in bed. That was even with recuperative blur.
I remember Dr. Angeles, of course, who was also on hand before and during the operation. He discussed at certain authority how lasik treatment can benefit a myope like me and how their center has had good success stories. One of which he said was a nearsighted like me whose eye reading was double mine at 1400. That was an added encouragement.
And how can I not remember Dr. Carlomagno Torres, my ophthalmologist from a little over two decades ago. He recommended lasik treatment for me in my most recent check up in his clinic two weeks ago.
And I am just glad he did. During that consultation, he promptly wanted me to be screened at AUF Lasik Surgery Center. And I wasted no time since screening does not cost a penny there.
During the 40-minute procedure, Dr. Torres showed once again his skillfulness in eye surgery. This time with cutting edge (literally, figuratively) and precise laser technology. Marked as usual by his low tone reassuring voice that lent calm and comfort, Dr. Torres did the job just remarkably fine. Sans the levity, sans the fanfare, he just went about the surgery almost with masterful strokes and with Drs. Angeles and Henson and the center's nurses serving as rah-rah boys during the operation.
*****
Was there pain? I was often asked. Yes there was discomfort, albeit tolerable, before and after (but not during) the procedure. That device (was that called speculum?) that was placed to keep my eyes from blinking caused some pressure on the left eye since my eye socket there seemed smaller than the one on the right. There was also discomfort when anesthesia that was dropped on my eyes wore off an hour after the surgery. An over-the-counter analgesic and two hour sleep though helped.
Did I mind the pain? Nope especially in this after thought. Especially when I saw the bones from a grilled bangus that was served to me by my wife during dinner that followed few hours after the ops. She thought she had cleared the chopped portions of bones. But I saw them even with that slightly brownish protective gear that I still wear to this day. While they were about an inch long though, I saw the whitish bones against the white enamel from the plate she used.
Am I happy with the surgery? I am and I hope to be happier in the days to follow.
Will I recommend it? Oh sure I will for I know now how it is to be happy while eyeglasses-free.
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Tulabut: Lasik Surgery
Source: sunstar.com.ph/pampanga
From: Mr. Noel Tulabut
Friday, March 11, 2009
I AM MYOPIC. Not the connotation of narrow mindedness. I am not found wanting in those areas, my late parents would always tell me.
I am myopic. Not the connotation of having lack of understanding or being imprudent or my wife would throw me out.
I have been nearsighted since grade school where my classmates would outdo me in answering simple math operations, as I could not see flash cards from a distance.
Panagbenga 2009 blog
I have been nearsighted since high school days where my school mates would enjoy sights of pretty girls from afar while making myself contented with how they describe just how attractive, beautiful and sexy they are.
The correction to my vision through prescription glasses came late. Not until fourth year high school when I have finally convinced my parents that I have had eyesight problems.
I could not blame them for dilly-dallying in bringing me to the optometrist. Family funds were enough only for a family of 12 where a ripe yellow mango would have to be divided into seven to expand the division. I and the younger ones in the brood of 10 get the first bite of the fruit while the older ones watch.
I really could not blame my parents. They have had to make a choice between granting my need for an eyeglass - then considered a luxury - and the necessities of our huge family.
Now I am in the exact shoes that were once worn by my departed parents. I have to decide too between having my eyes go further corrections and funneling the money for enrollment of my two children for next school year. Both are not inexpensive.
Just like my parents, I have been shilly-shallying with a decision to have a better and more effective refractive eye correction. Not because I want to buy more mangoes for our family but because it involves a huge amount of money.
*****
The treatment is called Lasik, which I first heard of from several years ago. It used to cost in the hundred thousand pesos. The price of which has been lowered through the years though given the proliferation of specialty clinics that offer it.
I went to Lasik Surgery Clinic at AUF Medical Center and all the more I felt how nearly blind I am now with my vision impairment going to the 900 level for myopia and astigmatism.
But as I felt my need for it, all the more I felt being on the tightrope too, balancing between family's necessities and this personal "necessity". The package they offered me though was attractive and it is way below the P90,000 charge from a Manila-based clinic.
Just like the whole hospital itself that continues to upgrade its facilities, AUF's Lasik Surgery Clinic, I must admit, is impressive with its state-of-the-art equipment. What makes it different from other eye clinics? For one, it uses an excimer laser machine that is preferred by US doctors that perform laser vision correction for US Navy's Top Gun pilots and astronauts.
Wow, how the hospital had gone major facelift, making it more modern yet homey. No wonder it was recently conferred the Best Private Tertiary Hospital in Central Luzon by no less than Philhealth.
The clinic is well staffed, with optometrist Dr. Marie Lising assisted by two competent nurses performing the examination. After that, two young ophthalmologists in Dr. Andrew Angeles and Dr. Raoul Paulo Henson explained the benefits of the procedure, answering my questions and thus quell the fears of my uninformed mind. Their idealism, technical mastery and scholarly discussion reminded me of the same qualities that made me stick it out with Dr. Carlomagno Torres, my ophthalmologist from 25 years ago.
*****
Talk about vision, Dr. Emmanuel Y. Angeles continues to achieve and see the vision to produce graduates par excellance at AUF.
Very recently, AUF again made strong showing in the board exams for physical/occupational therapists and nursing.
Cum laude graduate Blessie G. Pena landed on the fifth slot and is among the 335 successful examinees (out of 641) nationwide who took the February 2009 licensure for PT/OT.
On the other hand, at least 30 AUF nursing graduates landed in the top 20 of the November 2008 board exams.
AUF also posted a remarkable passing rate of 90 percent (555 passers out of 616 examinees), which is way above the national passing rate of 44.51 percent. AUF is ranked 2nd among all nursing schools nationwide with more than 600 examinees.
For the top 10 board passers, AUF secured 4th, 7th, 9th, 10th places while 26 other students made it to the next top 10.
Congratulations. I am just proud to have been a graduate too of this great institution of learning.
*****
Dear LSC,
When I was about 8yrs old, the optician told my parents that my both eyes had a problem especially my left eye. I needed to wear reading glasses. I was always the joke at the school, ‘cause of my glasses, so I always pretended that I can read with both my eyes, and I had been doing that for a very long time. So I saved some money so I can have it fixed. One day, I heard about this Lasik thing, and I was so happy about this technology, cause they said it will make you see better. I heard a lot of people took this surgery and all of them agreed that it is true that their vision came out almost 20/20. And then I decided to have the surgery. After the surgery, everything changed in my life I can see better and I don’t have to wear those ugly reading glasses and be more confident of my self and I really feel more normal. Thank you LSC, you’re an angel. God bless all.
- Lovelyn Bautista, 26 years old, Pasay City
Had Lasik in Nov. 20, 2008
by Dr. Jay Marianito S. Vicencio
*****
I always wanted to undergo laser surgery for my eyes ever since this technology came into Philippines more than 10 years ago. But I am not earning enough then. Still the desire continues but had been frustrated because the surgery cost went higher and higher. Until only last year, when I had bought and paid all the basic necessities a family should have (eduplan, pension, house, car, etc), I thought of myself. And still, to have my eyesight be clearer again is my earnest desire.
Here are the reasons why I had lasik surgery:
1. The cost went down from 75,000 to 55,000.
2. The new equipment has a tracker of the eyeball, so it is safe even if the patient accidentally look in another area.
3. I have searched through the internet and found out that a very rare case of error had happened for this kind of surgery.
4. I have senior officemates who had their eyes lasered 10 years ago, up to now they are happy with their decision.
5. Wearing eyeglasses or contact lens has given me some dizziness.
6. I had to clean my eyeglasses and my contact lenses regularly, even when I’m so tired.
7. I needed to update my eyeglasses and contact lenses. Its maintenance were adding to my expenses.
8. My toddler daughter hates my eyeglasses, she can’t kiss me without bumping her face on my glasses.
9. I love to go swimming, its fun, the same thing with other sports, such as badminton, volleyball, etc. but wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses lessen my move and mood for fun.
10. When it is humid, my eyeglasses block my vision.
11. I can now see the stars clearly at night and pinpoint to my daughter the 3 kings, the rosary, lovely!
12. I can now highlight my beauty (ehem!) if I feel like it and execute it effortlessly. No more grandma or manang look.
13. I felt younger, it transformed me into my own self, my own personality, and that is to be simple and natural.
14. The surgery is so fast, it may only be done in 15 minutes. The recovery is so fast as well. I can work on the next day.
Thank you Lasik. More power!!!
- Lorna Lyn Leonen, 34 years old, Asian Development Bank,
Had Lasik last May 2008 by Dr. Gabriel Juan Heredia
*****
Last September 2008, in the wee hours of the
morning, an intruder entered my bedroom. Fortunately, I was
awakened by the sound of my window opening and I was able to
scream away the thief! Since my eye grade was over 700, I didn't
see the face of the burglar. That sealed my decision to finally
have eye laser surgery.
It has been almost 4 months since I did my PRK and I praise God,
based on my check up the other day, my vision is 20/20 (the
other eye is even clearer except I missed a letter). Everyday I
wake up now I can see the clock and enjoy bathing, seeing the
shower knob and choices of shampoo. It feels great to SEE w/o
contacts / eyeglasses. Although my eyes didn't heal as average
people normally would, and I experienced constant dizziness for
about 3-5 weeks, with my vision fluctuating, resulting to
headaches, I am tremendously grateful for my doctor, who was
more than accommodating to reassure me my eyes would stabilize
and he took time to constantly check my progress. I am also
thankful I didn't succumb to depression or complaining or fear -
knowing that God is in charge of the big and small things in my
life - He is big enough to solve my eye problem, I just need to
bask in His strong, loving arms. On top of this blessing, my
eyes are not dry; that's a bonus part since I had PRK. Our
family went outing a couple of weeks back. For the first time in
my life, I was able to swim, enjoy the spectacular view, w/o the
hassle of eyeglasses or the anxiety I would lose my contacts in
the waters. Should any emergency happen in the middle of the
night, it gives me a certain peace of mind, that I can open my
eyes and see and run for my life!
- Joan Lim Menco, 35 years old
Had PRK treatment on December 29, 2008 by Dr. Irwin Cua
*****
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