Dry eye condition affects many individuals, whether children or adults.   According to the American Optometric Association, 38% of adults suffer from dry eyes, while a Korean Study found 6.6% of children have the said condition.  What causes dry eyes?  Well we can avoid some of these activities such as prolonged gadget use (computer, mobile phones, e-readers, game players), direct exposure of the face to car or room AC’s and fans.  Older age, women who are pregnant or experiencing menopause, taking medications such as decongestants, antihistamines and antidepressants are just some of the reasons why one gets dry eyes. How will you know if you have dry eyes? A person with dry eyes can feel well…. dry eyes (no pun intended), burning sensation, foreign body sensation such as sandy feeling, possible tearing (this is not the normal basic tears), sometimes difficulty to open the eyes in the morning.  In more severe cases, one may feel glare and blurring of vision.  I guess the question is, how to get rid of dry eyes?  Generally, we can only make it better, but not really get rid of it permanently. You can imagine dry eye as an individual going up the mountain, once you are diligent with the dry eye therapy, you are gaining momentum and going up the mountain slowly but surely.  Now that you feel better and that you are about to reach the mountaintop, you become complacent and start skipping your dry eye regimen, this causes you to roll back down the mountain. Experts in dry eyes released TFOS DEWS II Management and Therapy Report, which discussed the management protocol of dry eyes depending on the severity of the condition.  It ranges from regarding avoiding some environmental factors, dietary modifications, artificial tears, lid hygiene, warm compresses, autologous serums, punctual occlusion, topical antibiotics/steroid use, therapeutic contact lens options, amniotic membrane grafts and oral secretagogues. Also included in the protocol is the use of MOISTURE CHAMBER SPECTACLES/GOGGLES.    These glasses are made to trap moisture which can be beneficial and prevent tear evaporation in dry eye patients.  The difference of moisture chamber spectacle is that a silicon shield or foam is attached to it on the side, thus preventing unwanted air from irritating the eye. Moisture chamber glasses by Ziena and sunglasses 7eye by Panoptx are now available in the Philippines.  To know if you have dry eyes, schedule a dry eye evaluation now.

菲律賓 Gold Heart Optical Centre 眼科診所配角膜矯視眼鏡片來矯正近視方式其中之一

近视是因为眼球过长，导致远距离的景物模糊，而近距离的景物清楚。

我们为何要控制近视呢？为什么不等成年时去作雷射矫视手术？
这是因为一般近视眼度数如果一年比一年升高。 深近视患者患上白内障， 青光眼 和视网膜脱落的风险机率比较高。

在菲律宾， 我们已经开应始用不同的方法控制近视。 Gold Heart Optical Centre 的专业眼科医生会为你的孩子评估哪一种矫正近視方式会最为适合。

矫正方式有：

菲律賓 Gold Heart Optical Centre 矯正近視

1. 渐进镜片 (progressive lens)
2. 特殊设计的镜片 (myopia control lens)
3. 多交点软性隐形眼镜 (dual focus lens)
4. 角膜矫视眼镜片 (Orthokeratology)

这是一个全新的不需手术的视力矫正方式， 可免除视力不良患者在白天配戴眼镜或隐形镜片。 通过睡眠时配戴特制的矫正性隐形镜片， 而达到改善视力的效果。
这种安全有效的治疗法可以纠正近视，使那些不希望面对手术风险或不准备接受激光矫正手术的人说， 这是一种正面理想的治疗方式。

这种矫正近视的方式需要家长和孩子们的承诺配合。 中国， 香港，日本， 台湾， 美国， 澳洲，西班牙，英國， 等国家， 地区，都已经广为使用。

为什么用普通的眼镜片或者普通的隐形眼镜不能控制近视呢？
普通镜片无法控制眼睛变长， 所以无法避免近视升度。

Gold Heart Optical Centre now offers myopia control to prevent nearsightedness from getting higher each year.  Why is it not recommended  to wait until your child becomes old enough for LASIK?  It is because nearsightedness higher than -3.00 increases the risks of glaucoma, retinal detachments and cataract.

Nearsighted control in the Philippines is evolving.  Prevention is the new standard of care.  Myopia control options include soft bifocal contact lenses, soft orthokeratology lenses, overnight orthokeratology lenses, progressive lenses and Myopilux eyeglass lenses.  Gold Heart Optical is one of the clinics in the Philippines that offer orthokeratology lenses.  Visit us to know what is best for your kids.

www.goldheartoptical.com

Scleral contact lens fitting is available in the Philippines.  It was not available though in the earlier years.  I have come across one foreign keratoconus blog with a Filipino with keratoconus asking where to get scleral lenses in the Philippines.  He seemed desperate, I tried to reach out but the blog was no longer active.  That was where the idea started.  I used to think that small rigid gas permeable lens is  the answer for all corneal irregularities, now I know I am wrong.

As more literatures are coming out, I realised that scleral lenses are invaluable in managing complicated corneas such as keratoconus, post surgical corneas such as in post LASIK and other post refractive surgery complications and corneal transplants.   These lenses act as band-aids with cushions, vaulting the entire injured or compromised area.  And since the lenses are filled with  saline, these are great too for patients with ocular surface diseases such as dry eyes.  The skirt of the scleral lens lands on the least sensitive part of the eye which is the sclera, that is why patients tolerate scleral lenses more than small rigid gas permeable lenses.  As to the cost, it may be more than what conventional rgp’s would cost, but the outstanding vision and comfort that these lenses provide make it all worth it. When we do scleral contact lens fitting, we do series of tests and fittings before finalising the best fit for you.

How long does a scleral contact lens last?  Well, depends on the progression of the condition as well as how well you clean them.  A safe estimation will be  2 years or so.

We welcome inquiries on scleral contact lens fittings.

Yep, Fitovers Polarize Sunglasses are available already in the Philippines and so there is no excuse for you to say you cannot wear sunglasses because you have prescription. I saw someone the other day wearing regular sunglasses over his eyeglasses.  I do not know how it worked for him, but the sunglasses kept on dropping, and the eyeglasses with more than half of his eyes were peering out.  And I ask myself, where is sun protection ? No wonder he still squints.  If only I was close enough to talk to him about Fitovers Polarize Sunglasses.    Fitovers Polarize Sunglasses are meant to be worn on top of your eyeglasses. Here are just some of their  advantages:

1.  These are very helpful for patients who have prescription and do not want to have their lenses made in transitions for economical purposes. So even when they change prescription or change their eyeglasses the next year, they may still use these sunglasses.
2. Regular transitions lenses do not get dark enough for driving.
3. Some clip-ons can scratch your eyeglass-frame and lenses.
4. These are also helpful to cut glare because of the top and side shields, cutting glare from all possible entry points.  Because of this, so many who do not  have prescriptions also enjoy the glare-free feature of Fitovers Polarize Sunglasses.
5. Fitovers Sunglasses are made with polarized lenses.  Beach lovers, bikers and those who drive love them.

These sunglasses are cool that they sit nicely over your eyeglasses.    It is great for all ages.  Nowadays, one has to be practical in finding the best protection for one’s budget.  Fitovers Polarize Sunglasses come in different sizes and lenses.  Included in this blog is how to know which Fitovers is the best for you.  Protect your eyes from glare and UV rays with Fitovers Polarized Sunglasses!

Should I or should I not try contact lenses? I am sure that many of you have wondered if contact lenses are for you. Yes, you have your glasses, they are very convenient, no wasted time in putting them on and off. You shop for that “perfect” pair that embodies your personality… but have you ever thought at times if you can do away with your eyeglasses? We always tell patients that just like shoes, you do not use your running shoes to attend parties. So similar to shoes, we also need other options to be more comfortable in some activities and also to complete your look.  Contact lenses have so many advantages, let me show them to you.

For the ladies out there, isn’t it awkward to wear those fashion statement black, acetate frames while you are in a dress? We also have patients saying they just remove their glasses in those occasions… yup, you look fabulous without your glasses but then risk to be called a snob or clumsy person.  Even those who join programs in school, some would just remove their glasses, some would wear them, but then why chance the eyeglasses flying off your face when you are about to do a difficult dance stunt? For males, especially for those who are active and play basketball with friends, or those that go to gym to workout. With sweat all over your face, your eyeglasses either is dripping wet with perspiration or drops down to your nose.

Contact lenses are indeed very convenient too in the noted scenarios above. They can co-exist with eyeglasses. With contact lenses, your peripheral vision will be wider. No more issues of snubbing your friends, nor issues on sweating or your eyeglass dropping in a normal hot summer day. With contact lenses… you will feel FREE.

There are different contact lenses that will fit everyone’s lifestyle. And since contact lenses come in colored too, it can also be used to enhance your look. For occasional wearers, DAILY DISPOSABLE lenses are the best—pop in and pop out…. No more cleaning. For those who will wear their lenses more often, then the MONTHLY DISPOSABLE lenses will be a better option for you—unless you do not want the cleaning part in maintaining your lenses—-then DAILY DISPOSABLE will be your best buddy. Remember to only go to your trusted optometrist to teach you RESPONSIBLE CONTACT LENS WEAR.

There is a myopia (nearsightedness) epidemic happening in so many countries all over the world. Patients we see with myopia in the clinic are becoming younger and younger. Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong have seen the most childhood myopia in their statistics, and Philippines has been following their footsteps. Clinical trials are being done by top scientists in order to find means in controlling and preventing myopia. Currently, myopia control can be achieved with specially designed contact lenses and ophthalmic lenses. But what is also important is to control some environmental factors that can cause the progression of myopia. Kids will say that you want to blame your parents for giving you myopia, but studies show that 78.4% in 15- year old children are myopic, compared with only 19.8% in parents… this means environment really plays a big role. Indeed times have changed. Some kids do not even know how to play dolls or cars or robots… And whether you want to admit it or not, some parents are guilty of giving their children Ipads or mobile phones to play games to keep them busy and be quiet. Digital devices are the modern pacifiers. Even in attending reunion parties, you will see relatives with head down tinkering with their mobile phones than having decent conversations with their loved ones. I am not saying that I am not guilty of some of these things by the way.

Here are some tips as to how to avoid your glasses or your children’s to get thicker by the coming years.  Prevention of nearsightedness is the key.  

1. GO OUT & PLAY – Myopia prevalence was significantly higher in the Singaporean residents vs Australian (29.1% vs 3.3%). Children in Australia spent 13.75 hours per week outdoors vs Singaporean children who spent approximately 3.05 hours per week outdoors. Sunlight has its role–Dopamine and Vitamin D are being considered in restraining eye growth.
2. Vision Breaks 20-20-20 – For every 20 minutes of near task, look as far as you can for 20 seconds as far as 20 feet.
3. Appropriate Reading Distance/Distance From Gadgets – Use the “Harmon Distance” when reading, writing, and doing other close work. The distance between the eyes and the task is the distance from the elbow and middle knuckle.
4. Use appropriate lighting at all times.
5. Have regular vision examinations.
6. Do not abuse your eyes with digital devices use.
7. Eat a balance diet.

Why is it important to control myopia progression?

It is important to control myopia progression as high myopes have greater risks for glaucoma, retinal detachment, and other retinal conditions.