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BUSINESSWORLD
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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

VOL XXV ISSUE 226 ISSN0116-3930

An eye on vision

yesight may be an indispensable function for people of all ages,

but it still needs to rank higher among Filipinos list of health
Eye, S4/3
priorities.

ASIAN EYE INSTITUTE

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Who is Who: Trusted Names in Eye Care

Puffing through the eyes

By Don Joseph J. Dejaresco
SMOKE gets in your eyes may be a poetic
line from a song popularized by rock and roll
band The Platters, but when smoke does get in
the eyes too often, the effect can be far more
unromantic.
Usually a habit, cigarette smoking has always been the culprit of many cardiovascular
diseases, but few may know that it can also
trigger cataract, the worlds leading cause of
blindness, and other eye diseases.
According to Jennifer Ko, a cataract and
LASIK surgeon at The Medical City, although
a cataract is an age-related disorder, smoking
is a risk factor in its development. It can boost
a persons susceptibility to the eye disease by
altering and damaging substances that keep
the lenses of the eye transparent.
Eye lenses are made out of protein, so
theyre laid out in a pattern that makes it
transparent, so with certain changes in the
pattern of the protein it becomes opaque, Dr.
Ko said in an interview with BusinessWorld.
She also explained that several studies regarding the subject have already been made,
positing that there is a strong association between smoking and cataract formation, especially those that cloud the center of the eye.
Both inhalation and eye exposure to cigarette smoke can also lead to the development
of cataract.
For the literature, its not very clear on
which is more damaging; its more of both.
Because if youre the one who smokes, youre
exposing your body to a lot of radicals and a lot

of carcinogens that damage the cells, but the

smoke itself also manages to find its way into
the eyes. If you can imagine, oxygen enters the
eye through the air, so smoke also directly can
have access through the air, said Dr. Ko.
Research has shown that smoking particularly increases the risk of developing a
nuclear cataract, a variant of the dreaded eye
disease. A persons risk is also associated with
the amount of cigarette consumed. The data
showed that those who smoke 20 cigarettes
per day are at least twice as prone to acquire a
nuclear cataract.
Smoking can also cause age-related macular degeneration, which affects the central
vision. As stated in a report by Action on
Smoking and Health, a public health charity,
the disease causes an oxidative damage in the
retina and reduces blood flow in the eye tissue.
The visual impairment causes a persons
sight to be blurred, distorted and dark in the
center as the macula of the retina, which is
responsible for central and high-resolution vision, is damaged. This may cause an inability
to perform everyday activities.
Like in any other disease that smoking
causes, eye disorders can also be developed
through secondhand smoke.
Other eye disorders that smoking may cause
are diabetic retinopathy, thyroid eye disease,
and optic neuropathy, the report cited.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ko shared that the chances
of developing these diseases may be lessened
if the person does not take in or get exposed to
harmful substances. Generally it can be prevented through ones lifestyle, she said. Stay
away from secondary smoke and dont smoke.

EDITOR ANNA PATRICIA G. VALERIO

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Eye care beyond

eye wear

AFP

A trip to any George Optical store doesnt just entail

choosing the right eye wear for optimal vision.
George Optical, which is heavily founded on the
principle eye care beyond eyewear, doesnt just
stop at giving customers the prescribed eyewear as
it offers services that cater to customers general
eye health as well.
Dr. Geoffrey Co, president and CEO of George
Optical, Inc., says that a lot of Filipinos today tend
to prioritize their eye health the least, primarily
because of the notion that theres nothing wrong
just because they feel fine.
There are eye diseases, Dr. Co says, that are
asymptomatic and will thus show no symptoms
of abnormality until the condition is at its worst.
Glaucoma, for instance, is one of these asymptomatic
eye conditions which can lead to permanent
blindness if not detected at its early stages.
But for a minimal fee that starts at only P150,
Filipinos can get the peace of mind they deserve
through George Opticals various eye care
consultations, conducted by its in-house eye care
professionals.
At George Optical, we dont just stop at
prescribing glasses for you. When you leave our
store, we give you peace of mind, Dr. Co says.
So if your eye health is good, good. Well see you
back in a year. Lets keep doing that the following
year, and the next one, until youre old and the last
of your concerns is your eye.
Highly trained optometrists at George Optical
make it a point to treat each customer according to
their individual needs. When it comes to providing
contact lenses, for example, Dr. Co says that he
and his team always conduct the proper fitting
procedure, even if these disposable contact lenses
are bound to fit 80% of the population.
Generally, it is supposed to fit majority of the
population, but of course we as optometrists
want to make sure, he says. You never know; a
customer might be part of the 20%, and without
the proper fitting procedure, they may experience

certain discomforts. This is what we want to

prevent, so George Optical clients never have to
worry about going through such an experience.
Giving back is also one of the core values of the
company, and their corporate social responsibility
programs include medical missions carried out
through the Dr. George Co Sr. Foundation, the
organization built by Dr. Co and his siblings in their
fathers name.
T he foundations Go Green c ampaign
encourages everyone to donate their old or used
eyeglasses to the less fortunate who may need
them. Guided by the principle one mans trash is
another mans treasure, the program aims to help
people who need prescription eye wear but cannot
afford it, as well as the environment, as it promotes
the importance of recycling.

A D V E R T O R I A L

SMOKING can lead to vision loss.

GEORGE OPTICAL
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Who is Who: Trusted Names in Eye Care

EDITOR ANNA PATRICIA G. VALERIO

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

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from Eye,
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Citing the most recent statistics from
the Department of Health (DOH) and the
World Health Organization, Ideal Vision
president Mary Chan notes that there
are two million Filipinos, or 2.04% of the
population, with moderate to severe visual impairment, and 592,000 Filipinos,
or 0.58%, are blind. Sixty-two percent of
the latter are caused by cataract, while
10% are due to a refractive error, a common disorder marked by the inability of
the eyes to focus on images.
George Co, an optometrist and president and CEO of George Optical, believes
that among the five senses, vision is the
most important to Filipinos. The lack of
initiative when it comes to scheduling
regular eye checkups, however, is a telling
sign that points to a low awareness about
the importance of eye care.
Unlike the common practice of going
to the dentist every six months, getting a
general eye checkup is not as mainstream.

Even though you dont feel anything

yet you should go for an eye test, said
Dr. Co. Glaucoma, a slow-developing eye
disorder that usually shows no symptoms, is one condition that Dr. Co says
could worsen if not given the proper
attention.
Indeed, Filipinos have a tendency to
only go for eye examinations when they
think it is urgent. Filipinos, in general,
have been raised to be matiisin and often
wait until their eyesight has become more
than an inconvenience before having
their eyes checked, said Dr. Chan.
Very few Filipinos, added Emelita
Roleda, general manager of Essilor Philippines, understand the detrimental effects of improper eye care.
Many arent taking the best steps to
appropriate eye care practice, said Dr.
Roleda. In fact, there are less than half
Filipinos who get a regular eye exam,
which can be instrumental in detecting

Filipinos, in general, have been

raised to be matiisin and often wait
until their eyesight has become more
than an inconvenience before having
their eyes checked
and preventing serious vision problems
and eye disease.
This lack of awareness extends outside Manila. Amadeo Veloso, Jr., Asian
Eye Institutes medical affairs head and
a retina specialist, claims that the rural
areas are still underserved, but programs such as the DOHs Oplan Sagip

Mata campaign are trying to address

the issue.
Pterygium, which is usually associated with exposure to sunlight, sand,
and wind, is also common in rural areas,
according to Dr. Co. The disease involves
an abnormal but non-cancerous growth
of the conjunctiva, or the thin membrane

ESSILOR PHILS.
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that covers the inside of the eyelid and the

outer surface of the eyeball.
In lower income groups, eye infections
are also prevalent, while cataract, which
clouds the lens of the eye, remains a particularly common eye disease among the
countrys aging population, said Dr. Veloso.
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Who is Who: Trusted Names in Eye Care

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Light at tunnel's end

Vision for innovation

For two consecutive years now, Essilor has been
awarded one of the worlds most innovative
companies by Forbes magazine.
The worlds leading ophthalmic lens company
has always placed innovation at the heart of its
strategy. It designs, manufactures and markets
a wide range of lenses to improve and protect
eyesight. With a corporate mission to enable
everyone around the world to access lenses
that meet their unique vision requirements,
Essilor invests around 150 million in research
and development and employs 550 researchers
around the world in its three innovation and
technology centers.
Through partnerships formed with universities,
industrial groups and small and medium
enterprises, innovation is applied at all levels
within Essilor: products, services, and marketing.
Being an innovative company also means placing
wearers and their specific needs at the heart of
the approach -- an area which is addressed by
Essilors Live Optics program.
Established in 1993, Live Optics is a program
that addresses the specific needs of the wearer. In
its quest for constant renewal, which guarantees
high quality vision and service to all its customers,
Essilor launched the Live Optics program to test
all Essilor lenses under real-life conditions, over
several weeks, before they are launched.
With a corporate culture built on innovation,
employees are also driven to continue creating
life-changing solutions: invention of progressive
lens, creation of plastic lenses, as well as lens
coatings, high-tech vision measurement tools
and customization of visual correction.
It is estimated that there are currently 2.4 billion
people in the world who need visual correction
but who do not receive it. Because seeing better
means living better, we at Essilor have established
numerous screening, information initiatives and
an established action to improve eyesight, says
Dr Emelita Roleda, Essilor Philippines general
manager.
At the heart of this workmanship is the tradition
inherited from Essilors two precursors, Essel
and Silor. Dating back to 1849 and 1931, Essel
and Silor, respectively, dominated the French
optical eyewear market in the mid-20th century.
Both companies fostered entrepreneurial values
of mutual trust and respect to encourage a spirit

EDITOR ANNA PATRICIA G. VALERIO

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

CONSIDERED as a cure-all treatment, stem

cell therapy has prompted scientists and doctors across the globe to conduct a slew of researches that explore its vast potential.
One study involves the restoration of a blind
persons vision possible, and this time, it is being done by a Filipino doctor.
Harvey Uy, research chair in ophthalmology at the St. Lukes Medical Center (SLMC)
is studying the possibility of replacing lost
cells in the eyes to regain vision. The research
is focused on reversing the effects of retinitis
pigmentosa, one of the most common causes of
vision loss that currently has no cure.
According to a statement from the SLMC
website, the research is showing positive development in creating a cure for the blinding
disease, which is an inherited and degenerative eye disorder.
The disease causes the breakdown of photoreceptor cells, retina cells that are responsible
for converting light into impulses, which are
then transmitted to the brain through the optic
nerve. The loss of these will make a person
unable to capture and process light, causing
progressive visual loss that leads to loss of sight.
The process involves the use of the patients skin cells and transplanting them into
the vitreous humor, or the delicate gel that
fills the eyeball.
The study features stem cells that are autologous or harvested from the skin of the
patient himself, thus eliminating the usual
immune reaction problems. They are then
implanted in the vitreous body where diseased photoreceptor cells are regenerated and
restored, and may eventually bring back lost
vision, the SLMC report said.
Retinitis pigmentosa may already start to
develop during infancy, while some cases are

of initiative and to enable them to stay constantly

ahead of the curve.
Recently, the company launched Essiview,
an eyewear measuring mobile application that
offers the individual a better understanding of
their own vision as well the benefits of using
Essilor products. It aims to gather information
about an individuals vision to be used by their
eye care practitioner to aid them in choosing the
best Essilor product.
Essilors flagship brands are Varilux, Crizal,
Transitions, Xperio, and Optifog. It also
develops and markets equipment, instruments
and services for eye care professionals. In 2011,
Essilor International reported a consolidated
revenue of 4.2 billion and currently, it employs
around 48,700 people in some 100 countries.
It operates 19 plants, a total of 390 prescription
laboratories and edging facilities, as well as
several research and development centers around
the world.

triggered when the patient is older. One of the

early symptoms of the disease is night blindness, which causes ones vision to be darker
than normal. If symptoms show later in a persons life, the disease worsens more rapidly.
The study also cited that the eye disorder
affects 1.5 million people all over the world.
Meanwhile, Newscientist.com reports that
an experimental stem cell treatment by an
undisclosed company has restored the sight
of a man blinded by another eye disease. The
patient treated of the impairment now sees
well enough to drive.
The experiment attempted to reverse the
effects of two common causes of blindness
Stargardts macular dystrophy and dry agerelated macular degeneration in several
patients. Data showed that all of the patients
showed progress while undergoing treatment,
but an individual showed exceptional development of vision.
People undergoing treatment had reported modest improvements in vision earlier in
the trial, which began in 2011, but this individual has made especially dramatic progress. In all, the company has so far treated
22 patients who either have dry age-related
macular degeneration, a common condition
that leaves people with a black hole in the
center of their vision, or Stargardts macular
dystrophy, an inherited disease that leads to
premature blindness, the report said.
In the country, about half a million people
are blind and, every week, a hundred Filipino
children lose their sight according to statistics.
The data also revealed that the curability rate
is low, as 60% of the young patients die within
a year of losing their sight and the others will
live without vision until they are 40 years
old.Don Joseph J. Dejaresco

A D V E R T O R I A L

A Keen Eye for the Asian Eye

Established in 2001, the Asian Eye
Institute is committed to making
breakthrough technologies for eye
care and treatment available in Asia.
T he A si an Eye Ins t i tu te h a s
ser ved over 100,000 local and
foreign patients, offers treatment
for cataract, glaucoma, macular
degeneration, diabetic retinopathy,
and other r e tina and v i tr eous
diseases. A trusted name in general
and pediatric ophthalmology, the
institute also has excellent facilities
in low vision and visual rehabilitation,
optical dispensary, orthokeratology,
LASIK/refractive eye surgery, and
oculoplastic and eyelid surgery.
According to Dr. Amadeo Veloso, Jr.,
one of its foremost retina specialists,
dedication to scientific research
and continuous contribution to the
existing body of knowledge are among
what set the center apart.
Research can spell the difference
between what is cutting edge and
what is not, he says. In the institute,
we make sure we get involved actively
in research endeavors, either for
academic purposes or with drug
companies for clinical trials.
Dr. Veloso is also a founding
member of the Vitreo Retina Society
of the Philippines and was the vicepresident and medical director of the
Ophthalmological Foundation of the
Philippines.
He adds that diabetic retinopathy,
macular degeneration and retinal
de t achmen t ar e t h e top t hr e e
conditions he sees and treats among
Filipino patients. Without proper care,
these conditions can be debilitating.

DR. FRANKLIN KLEINER

This is why Asian Eye encourages its
patients to schedule yearly eye exams,
particularly if their family has a history
of eye problems.
Dr. Franklin Kleiner, the Asian
Eye Institutes ophthalmic plastic
reconstructive and orbital surgeon,
explains the advantages of receiving
eye care at the center.
Here at the institute, we feel we are
a one-stop shop, where a patient can
come in and have [their] eye checked,
then handled here, says Dr. Kleiner.
Fur ther mor e, oph thalmolog y
has become a very technical and
technology-oriented field, a specialty
that often depends on state-of-the-art
equipment and cutting-edge scientific
developments.

DR. AMADEO VELOSO, JR.

Many of the eye doctors are trying
to associate with eye centers, where
we can offer the patient a complete
range of diagnostic and surgical
facilities, says Dr. Kleiner. This,
I think, is the main strength of the
eye center.
Moreover, Asian Eye invests not
only in its equipment and research
but also in its people. It houses a
number of eye doctors with different
subspecialties, in order to ensure that
patients receive expert advice and the
best possible treatment options.
Dr. Kleiner has had many years of
plastic surgery experience. According
to him, while many of his cases are
cosmetic in nature, having the plastic
surgery done at Asian Eye means that
A D V E R T O R I A L

any functional problems the eyes may

have are also addressed.
Our advantage is we know how
the eye works, and how the eyelids
function, says Dr. Kleiner. We know
the anatomy very well.
Some of the most common
procedures done at the Asian Eye
Institute include eyebag removal,
the repair for drooping eyelids, and
Botox treatment.
Dr. Kleiner also explains that
the surgical center caters
especially well to Asian patients,
as eye plastic surgeries are done
differently depending on the facial
characteristics of the person.
Being situated in Asia, we see a lot
of Asian patients, he says. So we

can offer the best cosmetic results

for our Asian patients.
Currently, the Asian Eye Institute
is the only center in the country that
uses the Victus Femtolaser for both
cataract and LASIK surgeries. This
bladeless, precise technology makes
for quicker recovery, added comfort
for the patient and better visual
results.
The A sian Eye Institute also
exclusivel y of fer s Supr acor, a
quick and safe laser procedure that
improves both distance and near
vision for individuals in their 40s, 50s
or 60s who would like to stop wearing
eyeglasses or contact lenses.
In 2006, the institute became the first
ambulatory surgical center to achieve
triple ISO certification (ISO 9001, ISO
14001, OHSAS 18001). It has also
received platinum accreditation from
Accreditation Canada International for
its commitment to client-centered care
through effective quality improvement
and patient safety initiatives.
Additionally, the Asian Eye Institute
was awarded the title of Gold Trusted
Brand by Readers Digest in 2011
and 2012 after being identified as the
top eye center brand for consumers.
For its focus on the role of employee
performance and satisfaction in
business success, the center also
received the Investors in People
bronze level recognition from the
International Quality Centre in the
United Kingdom.
The Asian Eye Institutes main clinic
is located at the Phinma Plaza at
Rockwell Center in Makati City. It also
has clinics in Trinoma and Mall of Asia.

Who is Who: Trusted Names in Eye Care

EDITOR ANNA PATRICIA G. VALERIO

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
from Eye,
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Based on research, there is a 400,000case backlog of patients who are due for cataract removal and are not able to have it, said
Dr. Veloso. The backlog increases by 30%
every year.
One factor that compounds the disease
even further is the belief that vision loss is a
part of growing old that has to be coped with,
not addressed.
A significant number, most especially in
the lower income segment, still accept the
condition that blindness is part of old age,
said Alwin Sta. Rosa, vice-president and
general manager of the Asian Eye Institute.
Cataract is reversible; no one has to be blind
because of cataract.
Aside from age, lifestyle is an important
factor to consider when deciding how to address eyesight problems.
A nearsighted individual who spends
hours in front of a computer screen has a high
chance of eventually suffering from eye fatigue, so they should wear anti-fatigue lenses,
said Dr. Roleda. This may not be the case with
someone else, who is also nearsighted and a
passionate mountain climber, whose main

concern would be to protect his or her eyes

from bright sunlight.
As lifestyles change, diabetic retinopathy
may also be more common among Filipinos,
added Dr. Veloso. As the population gets more
affluent, people can spend more for food, so
diabetes is becoming a major problem just like
in the First World, he said.
Over the years, various developments have
entered the field of eye care. Bladeless LASIK
and cataract surgeries are just some of the treatments available in the country today. Genetic
testing and stem cell therapy for retina and optic
nerve diseases, meanwhile, may just be some of
the milestones that the field of ophthalmology
can look forward to, according to Dr. Veloso.
Still, ophthalmologists and optometrists,
which both rely on the latest technology to deliver excellent eye care, may have some of the
best tools and processes on hand, but a lack of
awareness among Filipinos can prevent them
from doing their jobs.
Filipinos have to be educated. We in the
industry need to continuously educate them,
said Dr. Co. We have to be always updated
when it comes to knowledge and skills.

Future looks clear

for Ideal Vision
Among the numerous optical shops in the
country today, Ideal Vision chooses to set
itself apart by prioritizing the clients needs
and continuously finding ways to serve
customers better.
It was in 1986 when Dr. Mary Chan
and her partners opened the first Ideal
Vision Center at SM North EDSA as a
way to make the most of an emerging
new trend in eye wear prescription in
the same year. The Ideal Vision Center
introduced a novel concept in the eye
care and eyewear retailing industry by
becoming a one-stop-shop that offers
eye care products as well as services for
people with optical needs.
Part of the companys corporate social
responsibility initiatives is the Save
Your Sight campaign, where Ideal
Vision helps educate Filipinos about eye
health, provides free assistance in eye
care, and continuously looks for ways
to generate resources to help those in
need in terms of sight preservation. Ideal
Visions customers and clients play a
huge role in gathering the funds needed
for the medical missions, as whenever
they make purchases from Ideal Vision
stores, a portion goes to the medical
mission programs.
Ideal Vision was awarded the Gold

Brand award for Top Retail Chain Brand

(Optical Category) last year. From its first
branch at SM North EDSA nearly 30 years
ago, the company now has 104 branches
nationwide, and has established a strong
presence in places outside Metro Manila,
such as Baguio, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro,
Batangas and Davao. It is also set to
conquer the international market this year,
as it just opened a branch in Guam.
Ideal Vision offers an extensive range
of products and services for people
of all ages. It carries over 100 brands
inside its stores, all chosen according
to its client profile and lifestyle, as well
as the international brands its market is
exposed to.
Our e ver- e vol v in g s er v i c e a n d
technology also distinguishes our brand
from the rest, says Ideal Vision president
Dr. Mary Chan. At Ideal Vision, she adds,
we always put customers first and our
guiding core value is passion passion
for details, and finding ways to make our
clients happy.
Ideal Vision also offers comprehensive
eye exams from professional eye doctors
and in-house consultant ophthalmologists,
and is equipped w i th the newes t
instruments in eye care to ensure the
highest quality of service.

ADVERTORIAL

JONATHAN L. CELLONA

IDEAL VISION
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