The purpose of LASIK eye surgery is to cure refractive errors (read: you’ll never wear glasses or contact lens again!) such as astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia, but it can also be used to improve 20/20 vision. It’s said to be virtually painless and has minimal downtime, which contributes to its popularity.

By Karyl Coseto

We asked Abby, who successfully underwent Lasik Eye Surgery at The American Eye Center, to share her experience with us.

Pre-Procedure

There are two things you need to do before the surgery:

1. Choose a good doctor or institution - Remember to ask around for the best doctors, institutions, and prices. Lasik surgery usually costs around P70,000 at the American Eye Center.

2. Undergo a screening - A screening is where tests are performed to determine certain things like a patient’s eligibility for the procedure and the type of corrective vision he/she needs.

During the Surgery

Lasik surgeries usually take only a couple of minutes and are virtually pain-free.

Abby: “The laser itself took less than a minute for each eye. There’s a machine that opens up your eyes and another one that cuts the cornea in a perfectly round shape. The thought of them cutting up my cornea was scary, but I didn’t feel any pain."

According to www.allaboutvision.com, a special kind of laser is used to remove bits of tissue from the cornea to reshape it. “When the cornea is reshaped in the right way, it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina, providing clearer vision than before."

Post-Procedure

Abby: “There’s something they put over your eyes right after operation, which you have to wear for a few hours, but after that, my vision was okay. The doctor gave me three kinds of drops to prevent infections, which I had to apply at different times during the day for a week. And, if for some reason, my vision deteriorates, I have the option to go back and get Lasik shots at no cost."

Recovery and Maintenance:

- Although patients are allowed to leave their homes the day after, doctors recommend resting for at least a couple of days after the surgery.
- Patients should also avoid participating in strenuous exercises or rubbing their eyes for at least week.
- Some doctors recommend wearing eye masks, sunglasses, or prescribe anti-inflammatory medication depending on the needs of the patient.

The Verdict

Abby: “I’d recommend Lasik surgery to anyone who wants to be cured. I think the Philippines is one of the cheaper places you can get it done. It’s safe too, because the whole process is dependent on a machine. If I may say this, I think they’ve perfected the technology to a certain level that there shouldn’t be cause for worry."

The American Eye Center is now located at: Level 5, Shangri-la Plaza
EDSA, corner Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Phone: 636-0762
Website: www.eyecenter.com.ph
E-mail:info@eyecenter.com.ph