Cataract Philippines

Vision Alert for Fathers

If we think that our fathers wear their glasses only because of regular vision problems that come with age, we might have to take a closer look. Blurry vision can lead to cataract, an eye problem posing complications that could lead to blindness.

The Third National Blindness Survey estimated that 3.4 million Filipinos are considered visually impaired. Of these, 3.2 million have visual impairment in one or both eyes while 461,121 are blind in both eyes. Cataract is by far, the leading cause of reversible blindness among adults.

“Most people who develop cataract are older people like our parents and our grandparents, although there are also instances that they can happen to anyone at any age for various reasons,” says Dr. David Gosiengfiao, Healthway Ophthalmologist. “Rarely, cataracts can be present at birth as they can be inherited as a result of hereditary enzyme defect.”

Our eyes contain specific proteins within the lens that help maintain vision clarity. But these proteins tend to clump together and start to cloud a small area that results to blurry vision. It may grow larger over time, thus, making it difficult to see. This condition is known as cataract. “Our father’s vision may become more impaired because as they age, the protein in the lens of their eyes tends to accumulate,” Dr. Gosiengfiao adds. “It reduces the light that reaches the retina, which causes their vision to get duller or blurrier. Cataract tends to develop slowly, so vision gets worse gradually.”

Older people often compare their blurry vision to a dirty camera lens. They usually experience a cloudy sight and fading colors. Cataract sufferers also exhibit symptoms like poor night vision, a bothersome glare produced by bright lights, multiple vision and frequent change in eyeglasses or contact lenses.

In time for Father’s Day on June 20, 2010, Healthway announces its comprehensive cataract examinations and removal. This is certainly one of the best gifts that we can give our fathers.  “Healthway makes cataract removal convenient since this is an outpatient procedure,” says Carmie de Leon, Healthway vice president for sales and marketing. “We thoroughly discuss all procedure for any of our services to our valued clients. We also offer eye checkups for those who want to be most assured of their eye condition, most especially that of their parents. This is a perfect treat for fathers specially, in time for father’s day. Moreover, we ensure that our patients are given the best possible care so that they can recover immediately.”

A cataract needs to be removed through surgery on a case-to-case basis. “Not all cases of cataracts will warrant surgery,” says Dr. Gosiengfiao.  “Surgery is mostly recommended for those people whose condition accelerates the growth of the cataract like that of diabetes and other treatment of eye problems such as age-related muscular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, or retinal detachment.”

Give your father the perfect gift by taking him for a thorough eye checkup in any of the Healthway clinics the Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Market! Market!, SM The Block, Robinsons Manila, Filinvest Mall, and Alabang Town Center.

For more details and information, log on to www.healthway.com.ph or call 751- 4929 (HWAY).

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