AEC VU 2 restoring vision
Yes, it purposely looks like the chart we are asked to read when having our eyesight checked; but when you read it fast, it does make sense. And the first three letters A E C are especially apt, as they are the initials of the American Eye Center — my suki clinic for anything having to do with my eyes — which is celebrating its 20th year.
Established in 1995 at its Shangri-La Plaza Level 5 location, American Eye Center has a Makati extension (Greenbelt 5’s Level 4), and it was there that I had my second cataract procedure a few weeks ago. In my case, it’s been a 17-year relationship with AEC, and my eyes have been more than grateful!
It began in 1998 when my terribly myopic eyes first got “zapped” with the Lasik procedure. Prior to 1998, whenever I would read the papers without my glasses or contacts, it would seem that I was out to inhale the newsprint. Plus, due to excessive dryness and sensitivity, I was never one for extended-wear lenses — they would just irritate my eyes and cause redness. While I had been hearing about the Lasik procedure, it was still something I approached warily. After a thorough check-up to assess if I was a suitable candidate, I went ahead and did it. I’ll never forget the morning after the operation, when I woke up, looked to the table clock, and could read the time without first groping for my glasses! That was heavenly 20/20 — after more than 30 years of being saddled by nearsightedness.
Being no spring chicken (more like a post-winter rooster?), by 2011, I was experiencing cloudiness in my vision; and it turned out to be cataract. More pronounced in my right eye, a phacoemulsification (a procedure that uses an ultrasonic device to break up and then remove a cataract from the eye to improve vision) with a foldable monofocal intraocular lens implantation was recommended; and the clarity my right eye enjoyed after the operation was again reason to be thankful to AEC and my cataract and neuro-opthalmology doctor, Richard Kho.
With right-eye vision now good for distance, I became a mono-vision kind of person, favoring my left eye for reading, and my right depended upon for distance. I know that sounds like a heavy burden to live by, but never underestimate the human brain as it would automatically adjust and focus in a split second. The left eye cataract finally “ripened” earlier this year, something I noticed as I would need better light and come closer to a page to make out letters distinctly.
As with the first operation, I was noticing the improved clarity of vision just hours after the procedure. And with the benefit of preparedness, I better appreciated the steps AEC takes to ensure that most possibilities can be addressed. The procedure is done with topical anesthesia (eye drops), but an anesthesiologist is on hand to help monitor your heart rate and give the added human dimension of holding your hand while the procedure is happening. Let’s face it, even this second time around, I could easily imagine how patients can panic or feel it’s taking too long — factors which if one were asleep would be eliminated, but doesn’t work in this case, as one needs to keep the eye open. There are choices open to cataract patients; monofocal or multifocal lens, and one can opt for a Femtosecond Laser-Assisted (Lensx) machine to help in the procedure. All the very latest that medical technology and science has to offer in the field of ophthalmology available at AEC.
So while AEC celebrates 20 years of restoring 20/20 vision to a multitude of patients, my advanced age has bestowed me with a more checkered relationship, i.e. my cataract history. It may have led to only 11 years of true, restored 20/20; but with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, I know that I’m set for the rest of my life vision-wise with AEC by my side. While I know some have eye problems and remain apprehensive about these laser-assisted procedures, I have been very happy with my results.
(For best results, consult your doctor.)
