While health is often at the top of our New Year’s resolutions, our vision is ironically often overlooked. We rely on our eyes to navigate every moment of our lives, yet they are often the last organ we think to have checked.
Good eye health is not just about having 20/20 vision. There are also other eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors like myopia and astigmatism. Billions of people worldwide have eye conditions, many of which are preventable or treatable through early diagnosis and care.
Fatima University Medical Center (FUMC) in Antipolo, a trusted leader in eye care in the country, is making revolutionary eye technology, including quality, patient-centered ophthalmic services, more accessible to Filipinos.
One of the advanced eye technology innovations at FUMC is the Zeiss SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) procedure, a minimally invasive, flapless laser vision-correction procedure for nearsightedness and astigmatism. The newer Zeiss SMILE, using the Carl Zeiss VisuMax 800, reduces laser treatment time to just 10 seconds per eye, enhancing patient comfort. The result of this life-changing procedure
is a biomechanically stable cornea with a reduced propensity for dry eyes, since there is no flap in the first place.
Before every procedure at FUMC, a thorough screening is conducted. The patient must be at least 18 years old to undergo Zeiss SMILE, as significant changes in vision are less likely afterward. Subjective refraction using the Nidek Index RT 6100 will document the presence or absence of cataracts. Nikon Optos California is used to rule out retinopathy or optic neuropathy. Lastly, a dry-eye test using a Pentacam ensures that the cornea is adequately thick and that no abnormally steep cornea (keratoconus) is present.
The entire process—from check-up to surgery—can be done in one day. In 2026, make a promise to yourself to get your eyes checked at FUMC.