Charmed Life by Gretheline Bolandrina

Yearly eye examinations, contact lenses fitting sessions, some wonderful family referral and advice – I scour Manila for a fix-it that’s all mine! Asian Eye Institute (AEI) was a perfect fit. But this is getting ahead of my story.

First, tell me what your eyewear preference is (glasses, contacts) and I’ll tell you who you are, I say this boldly. Since I’ve worn glasses as early as age twelve, I thought I was an expert on this. Tried contact lenses specifically in preparation for my church wedding in 1992. For me, soft disposable lenses were the way to go. A Filipina friend went one step further and had her contact lenses in blue, then hazel brown. Not my cup of tea. I don’t fancy myself as having faux eye color. Sheepishly, I admit, that when it comes to eyewear, its to each his own.

As a child, I adequately adapted to my near-sightedness, also known as myopia. I see nearby objects clearly but distant objects appear blurred. When I first got corrective lenses, I was in awe at how leaves appear individually on trees! I was so used to seeing leaves as one big blob on top of tree trunks! With the passing years, my eyeglasses were the first thing I picked up upon waking in the morning and the last thing I took off when retiring at night. On days that I wear contact lenses, I have to pay special attention to how late I stay up. Concentrate on not ever rubbing my eyes. Deal with the cleaning solutions and make sure I got the correct lens on the correct eye. Not that I wear much eye make up, but when I did, I was careful not to get it in my eye. A bit of a pain but also worth the freedom of not having to constantly re-adjust a frame on the bridge of my Pinoy nose.

When LASIK (Refractive Laser Eye Surgery) first became available in the US, I was screened as a good candidate. I considered my options and they seemed promising. I had not met many actual post-LASIK individuals at the time. Friends or foe, I wasn’t about to be a “guinea pig” and I was too “chicken” to actually do it. So, for the years that followed, I was still a slave to my eyeglasses and contact lenses. In the past two years, things have drastically changed. Two cousins and a close friend who vacationed in Manila came back sans eyewear. They were beaming and happy. They had their eyes done. They were ranting and raving at the wonderful experience they had at AEI. Just the cue words for me “a wonderful experience”. And so my time has come. I did my research, actually e-mailed Founding President and Medical Director of AEI, Dr. Felipe I. Tolentino who, as serendipity would have it was the same Doctor I had met and interviewed the previous spring for the Restoring Sight International Charity event in Boston. The stars seem to be lining up all for me. Since my visit to Manila was hectic (I had events up the yin-yang booked), I had my screening schedule e-mailed even before I left Boston on a Sunday. I arrived in Manila late Monday night. All I had to do the following day was make a phone call to confirm my Wednesday appointment. Finding the AEI at Phinma Plaza was easy. Coming from my parents’ home in Quezon City, we had poorly anticipated the traffic and though I arrived an hour late, AEI was completely forgiving! I was still taken in. Not even reprimanded! The actual registration process was efficient, all staff friendly and professional. Not that there was a lot of waiting, even on a busy weekday but the reception area is comfy, furniture, décor and temperature wise.

I met Dr. Robert Ang (Cornea and Refractive Surgeon) who explained my planned procedure including preparations for pre-op. He had done both my cousins’ surgery. He also happens to be a buddy of my sister’s best friend’s hubby, if you can follow the connection. As a registered nurse, I pick up quickly when short cuts are taken on procedures/tests or when certain techniques are compromised. I’m big on patient confidentiality and keeping patient informed. At the other end of receiving care, I was at ease to find no one violating any of said principles. Everything about the procedure was explained clearly, pre, during and post. The Surgical Coordinator detailed all there was to it, professional fee, operating room fees, post-operative eye medicines and follow up care. There were no surprises. My surgery was scheduled on a Friday. I received a final confirmation call a day before, and all was set.

Day of the surgery, I came in solo and was a bit antsy. After all, these are my eyes, the only two I've got. I arrived early (to make up for my previous tardiness) and barely had time to panic. My brave front was slowly being nipped away. I was in the midst of “texting” SOS for someone, anyone available to hold my hand! But I was taken in immediately, way ahead of schedule. I was tagged with a blue readable lanyard, given a locker to put my belongings away. Donned the gown and bravely marched into the pre-op area. My left eye is dominant, so my right eye had everything done first. I was kept abreast step by step by no less than Dr. Ang himself for everything that went on. I’d save all the gory details of the surgery in case I get queasy readers but rest assured, it was a breeze. To put it simply, it is worse getting dirt in your eye or having to suffer conjunctivitis than to go have LASIK at AEI. Once Dr. Ang created the “flap” and the moment he returned the “flap” to its original position, I was seeing clearly. The staff gave me all the supplies I needed for immediate post-op care (eyedrops, goggles) and specific instructions. I did rest for a few hours (and I’m not even supposed to divulge this) but I had gone and met a friend at the mall that very same afternoon. The only drawback was having to wear shades in the mall to hide my bloodshot eyes!

Waking up the next day is the stuff that one writes home about! I was on the second floor of my parents’ home, looking out the window and I could see the whole neighborhood clearly. Something I couldn’t do before, even with glasses or contacts on. Talk about rising and shining. I admired the sunrise and checked on the neighbor’s avocado tree, saw a few ripe fruits. I basked in the vivid colors of another neighbor’s orchid blooms. Said good morning to my mom and sisters, from across the room I could see my nephew and all the fuzz on his baby skin. As I look in the mirror, there couldn’t be a greater miracle for me than to see my reflection clearly and look at my own eyes without frames or lenses. LASIK is a breakthrough in technology for eye care this is true, one may have his eyes done anywhere, also true. However, my experience at AEI with the dedicated team of specialists and the caring I received, (post op they saw me for a follow up even though the office was closed for a holiday and my flight leaves the next day!) to ensure that I was completely satisfied, is something I need not see with my eyes, I have found that with my heart. Goodbye four eyes, frames and lenses, hello to the new me. The one who had gone to scour Manila for a visual fix? I return triumphant. I have found my eyes and they’re 20/20!

The author, seated, with Dr. Ang on a follow-up visit.

Feel free to e-mail me reactions, comments and or suggestions for ideas to ponder. Contact me at Gretheline@aol.com or through Carousel Productions.