“Wow! Nakakakita na uli nang malinaw ang anak ko!”
Pilar Armina Bartolome was ecstatic after her son, Lucas, completed a surgery that removed cataracts in both his eyes.
The 14-year old was the first patient to undergo an eye surgery in the newly opened operating facility of EyeSite, a full-service eye care medical clinic in Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City.
Lucas’s cataracts were diagnosed when he was 10. During that time, the simplest activity became a challenge for him. He had to be guided when taking the stairs or walking in public places.
Although Lucas’s parents consulted eye doctors in other prominent hospitals in Manila, they chose EyeSite Mandaluyong because its sole specialty put their main worries to rest.
“Minor ang anak namin, tapos critical pa ang mata kaya takot kami,” Mrs. Bartolome said.
“Gusto ng husband ko manigurado. Gusto niya sa eye specialists na talaga. So when pandemic lockdowns eased, pumunta kami sa EyeSite for our son’s cataract removal.”
Dr. Michelle Lingao, the ophthalmology surgeon who performed the cataract procedure on Lucas in EyeSite, is a pediatric ophthalmologist who also specializes in adult strabismus, comprehensive ophthalmology, and ocular genetics.
She recalled that when the nurse guided Lucas to the recovery room after the second of two operations, he kept pointing at things he was possibly seeing more clearly for the first time.
“He kept on asking, ‘Uy, what’s this?’” Dr. Lingao recounted.
“He was very jolly and inquisitive, asking a lot of questions about his eyes. Even minutes before surgery, he kept talking about a lot of things like his favorite TV shows and anime. He was very brave and cooperative during the procedure.”
Lucas completed a 2-visit procedure in a span of two months. His left eye was the first to be operated on in August 2022. The second procedure, for the right eye, was done in October to allow enough time for the left eye to regain full function.
Mrs. Bartolome noted the great improvement in Lucas’ eyesight after completion of the surgery.
“Ang color daw ng leaves is green, at ang color daw ng car namin is totally black,” she said. “Na-appreciate niya na lahat ng nakikita niya.”
EyeSite continues to provide post-surgery care to Lucas, which is projected to last a year.
According to Dr. Lingao, the machines in the new EyeSite Mandaluyong operating rooms are more advanced. In particular, the one for removing cataract is more sensitive because of the parameters it requires medical professionals to follow.
“It’s more sensitive that it can detect the inside part of the eye to make sure everything is in balance while you’re doing the surgery,” she said. “The artificial lenses it uses for patients also have higher quality compared to several years back, making people see better.”
EyeSite Mandaluyong is a joint venture between the Asian Eye Institute and RelianceUnited, a company under United Laboratories (Unilab) that aligns with Unilab’s mission to provide “Trusted Quality Healthcare.” The clinic directly addresses the changing health care needs of Filipinos in the new normal and its services include general ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, and optical retail.
For consultations and other services, the clinic can be contacted via mobile number (0966) 9501-464 or visited at Level C, Williams Center, Williams St., corner Mayflower St., Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City.
EyeSite Mandaluyong is offering a 15% off promo on selected eye surgeries and procedures until January 17, 2023.
For more information about EyeSite’s #SerbisyongSulitAlagangMaaasahan, please visit eyesitemandaluyong.com
