How Panay Eye Center can help save your eyesight
Our sense of sight is the most important among the five body senses. With proper care, eye diseases can be prevented or detected and treated early.
While eye diseases occur to people of all ages, this is prevalent among the elderly. “Senior citizens need to have their eyes checked because this is the time when the eyes start to degenerate. Prevention is better than cure,” said Dr. Karen Francia, an ophthalmologist and head of the Panay Eye Center based in Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital.
“Some common eye diseases include cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration,” said another ophthalmologist Dr. Grace Hojilla.
EYE DISEASES EXPLAINED
Most often, cataract is related to aging. It is the clouding of the lens in the eye which results in blurry vision, poor night vision, and double vision. For the patient, the lights seem too bright and colors seem faded.
In the case of glaucoma, there is increased pressure on the eye caused by fluid buildup. This pressure damages the optic nerve and can cause blindness. If detected early, blindness can be prevented.
Diabetic retinopathy happens when high blood sugar from diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina. Those with all types of diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy. A diabetic eye disease also includes having cataracts or glaucoma.
“That is why those diagnosed with diabetes should immediately have their eyes checked,” said Dr. Casenas, another ophthalmologist.
Another common eye disease is macular degeneration, which is also age-related. Here, the macula in the retina is damaged and results in central vision loss. While aging could be a reason, other culprits are cigarette smoking, being overweight, and having high cholesterol levels caused by eating a diet that is high in saturated fat.
For the young, Dr. Hojilla said that the most common complaints are dry eyes, error of refraction, and astigmatism due to smartphone use.
Drs. Francia, Hojilla, and Casenas are among the 30 ophthalmologists in Western Visayas who are skilled in treating any eye disease. Patients need not go to Manila in order to receive the best care.
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Cirrus HD-OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), the latest in retina and glaucoma diagnostics.
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LATEST TECHNOLOGY
Couple this with the latest diagnostic technology available at the Panay Eye Center. Formerly called the Tony Chan Eye Center, it was founded 20 years ago by Tony Chan, an immigrant from the Fujian Province of China who settled in Iloilo City. He married an Ilongga, Inday Florence Lim, started his sugar business in 1946, and over his 73-year lifetime, built a successful and solid business. He had ingrained in his children and grandchildren the importance of giving back to the community and to the country. This “giving back” has taken many forms, including scholarships to the deserving poor and many other social responsibilities. The Tony Chan Eye Center is one of those put together to facilitate eye patients in the community and at the same time give a proper venue to local medical practitioners.
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IOL Master performs optical biometry. Zeiss (the manufacturer), said that it has more than 100 million successful IOL power calculations to date.
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After 20 years, the center was finally renovated and has acquired the latest technology for eye diagnostics, laser and surgery. "The center is more spacious and we are the first in the country to acquire equipment with a laser. We update our equipment every 2-3 years," said Dr. Francia.
"Our machines have evolved. There are diagnostics for glaucoma and can even detect neurological conditions. We have backup machines in case of simultaneous surgeries. We have data transfer capability now that we are hooked up to a network from where even doctors can gather and view their patient’s data in their clinic," said Dr. Casenas.
"I am also a patient, and I have used our facilities. For every eye problem, the center is here," said Dennis Lacson, the center’s board member.
COMPETITIVE PRICING
Dr. Francia assures Ilonggos that their prices are competitive. They also cater to charity cases. "As long as it is cleared with social service, we give a discount. Their doctors usually waive their fee," she explained.
"We are very happy for the success of the center and proud that it is being run by our team of distinguished and highly respectable ophthalmologists. We hope to continue upgrading our facilities and provide excellent care to our community. If Tony Chan were alive, he would be very pleased indeed," she concluded./
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Panay Eye Center doctors and staff with the priest during the center’s re-launching and blessing, 6th of July 2018
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Tony Chan, Panay Eye Center (formerly Tony Chan Eye Center) founder
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