MANILA, Philippines - Eyesight is fundamentally one of, if not, the most important of the five senses. Statistics from the Department of Health (DOH) have shown that cataract and glaucoma are the two leading causes of blindness in the Philippines. As many as 500,000 Filipinos are currently afflicted with cataracts yet ironically, the treatment for this is one of the simplest outpatient procedures available.
“Cataracts are not preventable and, in most cases, part of the aging process of our eyes. They are, however, treatable and the best way for you to ensure healthy vision is to visit your eye doctor,” says Dr. Sharleen Cortez, ophthalmologist, Healthway Medical, Greenbelt 5. “Cataract surgery is a quick and easy procedure, virtually painless with minimal risk for patients in good health.”
With the latest technology and equipment, cataract surgery is more than 90-percent successful in helping patients regain their vision.
On the other hand, glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve and has been dubbed the “silent thief of sight” since very few are aware that they may have this condition. “Most patients tend to not experience symptoms in the early stage of the disease allowing their vision to deteriorate,” adds Dr. Sharleen Cortez. “You can preserve your eyesight by having yourself screened for glaucoma and other eye problems.”
Other conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, near or far-sightedness are just some of the other common ailments also seen at eye clinics. Having your eyes checked every four to six months is one way of ensuring that your eyes remain healthy.
Healthway offers cataract surgery at SM North The Block, Market! Market!, and Festival Mall .“Healthway constantly seeks to offer prevention and treatment for common eye problems,” says Carmie de Leon, Healthway vice president for sales and marketing. “We want to give our clients the best brand of care that we could provide them.”
For more inquiries and information, visit www.healthway.com.ph, or call 751-HWAY (4929).