Refractive errors are a common eye problem that happens when light is not properly focused at the back of the retina. This is usually caused by the irregularity in the shape of certain parts of the eyes. In myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness), the eyeball has an abnormal condition, but in astigmatism, the cornea or lens itself has a problem.
Another type of refractive error is presbyopia, an age-related condition that develops among individuals in their 40s or 50s. It happens when the supposedly flexible natural lens of the eye becomes stiff over time, leading to difficulty in focusing on nearby objects. Presbyopic patients have difficulty performing close-up work, like reading fine print, threading needles, and using computers.
Refractive errors are usually corrected with glasses or contact lenses. However, people with presbyopia may have to wear multifocal glasses or lenses, which help them focus on nearby and distant objects. LASIK surgery is also an option for those with astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia, but a special procedure (called Supracor LASIK) might be necessary for presbyopia.
Currently, Asian Eye Institute is the only facility that offers Supracor LASIK surgery in the Philippines. If you wish to learn more about this procedure, read through the rest of this article today. We have summarized everything you need to know about Supracor LASIK, from how it differs from standard LASIK to how it benefits those with presbyopia.
Standard LASIK and Supracor LASIK are both laser-based procedures designed to correct refractive errors. Both of them can also only be performed by an experienced doctor using an excimer laser, and they are known to be generally safe with quite a high chance of success.
However, standard LASIK and Supracor LASIK eye surgery in the Philippines also differ greatly. Check out this guide:
Traditional LASIK is primarily done to address astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia. Meanwhile, Supracor LASIK is used to correct presbyopia and provide patients with better focus on both their close-up and distant vision.
In some cases, presbyopic patients receive Supracor LASIK on their non-dominant eye and standard LASIK on the other. It can take a while for the patient to adjust to this kind of optical setup, but this “blended” vision helps them get a full range of focus. This means they can get good distant vision with their dominant eye and good close-up vision with the non-dominant one.
The American Food and Drug Association (FDA) only approves patients over 18 years old to undergo a standard LASIK procedure. However, many doctors will encourage patients to postpone until their 20th or 21st birthday to ensure that their eyesight has stabilized. There is no upper limit, but some specialists will ask you to think twice about getting it if you are over 40.
Supracor LASIK, meanwhile, is typically recommended for people over 40. This is especially the case if they are already experiencing symptoms of presbyopia, which prevents them from focusing on objects up close.
With standard LASIK, doctors will use a single focal point approach. They will reshape the cornea to improve distance vision and correct astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia. A multifocal approach is used in Supracor LASIK, so the surgeon will reshape the cornea to improve the patient’s near and distant vision.
In the multifocal approach, the doctor will create “zones” in the eyes. The central portion of the cornea will be reshaped to enhance the patient’s close-up vision, while the other areas will be for distant vision.
More and more people with presbyopia undergo Supracor LASIK eye treatment in the Philippines. The procedure offers quite a lot of benefits, and here are just a few examples:
Supracor LASIK is known for its efficiency and speed. Like a standard LASIK procedure, Supracor LASIK only takes a few minutes per eye. It is an outpatient operation, as well, so you can go back home on the same day as long as you have someone to accompany you or drive you to your house.
A full recovery can happen in a few months. However, patients can return to their everyday lives (with better eyesight this time) in just a couple of weeks, especially if they religiously follow the post-operative care instructions their doctor gave.
Each Supracor LASIK procedure is unique and tailored to the patient’s specific needs based on their overall eye health and the severity of their condition. During the screening and pre-surgery period, the surgeon will carefully map the topology of your eye so they can create multiple focal points using their excimer laser machine.
Like standard LASIK, Supracor LASIK is generally safe because it uses advanced laser technology. The machines used during the procedure are designed with enhanced precision and accuracy to avoid errors and prevent regression as much as possible.
Just like in standard LASIK surgery, a Supracor LASIK procedure in the Philippines starts with the doctor asking you to lie comfortably on the operating table. Here are the steps that can happen afterward:
The doctor will use anesthetic drops to keep you from feeling pain during the procedure.
Supracor LASIK is painless and fast. Once the procedure is finished, you will be asked to speak with your doctor again so they can relay some post-operative care instructions to you. You will also be asked to stay at the hospital for a few hours for observation.
Your doctor will be the one to tell you how to properly take care of your eyes after undergoing Supracor LASIK surgery in the Philippines. Some of the most common post-operative care measures are:
Recovering takes time. It can last for a few months, depending on certain factors. But once fully healed, you can expect to feel much more confident with your eyesight since you no longer need to wear reading glasses or hold objects at arm’s length to improve focus.
Asian Eye Institute is the only facility in the Philippines that offers Supracor LASIK surgery. If you wish to learn more about this procedure, contact our team and schedule an appointment with our specialists. Rest assured that we have state-of-the-art facilities to use for the procedure. Furthermore, our doctors are well-experienced in the field, so you know you are in good hands if you choose them to become your primary caregiver.
The cost of Supracor LASIK surgery in the Philippines depends on numerous factors. You can expect it to reach a couple thousand pesos. However, if you think you cannot afford such an amount at the moment, do not worry because we offer several ways to help you save on your hospital expenses. Simply ask our staff here at Asian Eye Institute for our promos and flexible payment options.
Supracor LASIK is incredibly safe, but patients can experience some side effects. In some cases, they will have dry eyes because they cannot produce tears for a short time after the surgery. This causes irritation and itchiness, among other common symptoms.
Regression is when your presbyopic eyes revert to their original condition after the surgery. This is possible, but rest assured that it occurs very rarely. If this ever happens to you, be sure to contact your doctor right away. They will be the ones to tell you what to do and help you decide on the following courses of action you must take.
Supracor LASIK surgery is effective in correcting presbyopia. It is designed to help patients with this condition improve their eyesight and enhance both their close-up and distant vision. Learn more about this procedure today by consulting our doctors only here at Asian Eye Institute. We will be more than happy to answer your queries about Supracor LASIK surgery.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is one of the most common vision problems today. And it’s only more prevalent in Asia, with studies showing that more than 80% of children and young adults are affected.
Nearsightedness is caused by an irregularity in the shape of the eyeball. The eyeball is supposed to be round, but for myopic people, it is slightly elongated. As a result, you may experience blurry vision when looking at an object from a distance.
People with myopia might have trouble recognizing faces or reading small texts, especially if they are at a considerable distance from the person or item they are looking at. If left unmanaged, high myopia can increase the risk of serious eye diseases like retinal detachment, glaucoma, and cataracts.
The good news? With help from specialists, myopia can be managed through several treatment options. The goal is to not just to correct vision, but also to slow its progression.
Eye care specialists recommend early intervention and regular eye exams as the best way to manage myopia and prevent it from worsening.
Common options offered by eye care specialists include specialized eyeglass lenses, contact lenses such as Orthokeratology (Ortho-K), and medicated eye drops like low-dose atropine to slow progression. Meanwhile, older patients with stable prescriptions can opt to choose refractive surgeries such as LASIK or Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL).
Prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses are one of the common ways to manage myopia. However, this correction method has some limitations, considering that these visual aids are quite easy to misplace or damage. Today, advanced myopia control lenses can help slow down eye elongation in children.
An alternative is undergoing surgery. The available procedures can be quite costly, though, so they might not be the right option for those on a tight budget.
For adults with stable prescriptions, procedures like LASIK and PRK permanently help reshape the cornea for clear vision. Ortho-K has also shown that it can deter myopia progression in kids up to 18 years old, making it a safe and effective alternative to LASIK. In many cases, myopia starts at an early age and can be properly diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam.
Interestingly, orthokeratology was actually developed to help control myopia in children and delay its progression. It works by gently reshaping the cornea to help the eyes focus properly on objects no matter the distance.
Special contact lenses, called ortho-k contact lenses, are worn at night for about six hours while you are sleeping. In the morning, when you wake up, you can take the lenses off and immediately notice how you can see clearly even without them.
If you are eligible, your eyes will then be thoroughly examined so doctors can get their exact measurements. The topography of your cornea will be determined to help eye care providers create custom-fit orthokeratology lenses.
Ready to take the next step? Talk to a specialist about the best eye care plan for you. Feel free to reach us at (02) 8-898-2020 or book an appointment here.
AEI’s main clinics are located at Phinma Plaza, with satellite clinics in TriNoma, Quezon City and Commercenter Alabang.
One of the biggest benefits of LASIK is how quickly results can be seen. Most patients notice an improvement in their vision just a few hours after the procedure. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, more than 90% of patients achieve 20/20 vision, while 99% reach 20/40 vision or better. Yes, good enough to drive without glasses!
But the lingering question is, what happens after LASIK surgery? This is where we come in. We’re here to reassure you and tell how you can better care of your eyes during recovery.
Some LASIK patients will report dryness and light sensitivity during their recovery period. In fact, about 95% of patients report dry eyes during the first month after surgery. Others may also report a mild burning sensation. Doctors usually prescribe lubricating eye drops to combat the irritation.
Common temporary side effects may include dry eyes, glare, halos, and night vision disturbances. Your vision may continue to improve and stabilize over the next few weeks. Full recovery may take about three to six months, so regular follow-ups with your ophthalmologist are important to monitor your healing.
LASIK is designed to be long-lasting. Studies show that 94% of patients remain glasses-free five years after surgery. However, natural age-related changes like presbyopia (difficulty reading up close) may still occur in your 40s or 50s. This is a normal part of aging, not a sign that LASIK is wearing off.
In some cases, a small number of patients may need an enhancement procedure, especially if there’s a slight regression in vision. This is usually safe and effective when done by an experienced surgeon.
Nevertheless, more and more Filipinos are leaning towards LASIK because of its high success rate. Adding to its wider appeal is the relatively quick and painless procedure, as it also only requires 10 to 20 minutes to perform.
In a country like the Philippines, where the prevalence of visual impairment at 3.64%, specialists like Asian Eye Institute Head of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services Dr. Robert T. Ang considers it a foolproof way to improve overall quality of life. It also helps to have the latest generation Victus Femtosecond Laser and Teneo 2 Excimer Laser, each sourced from German manufacturer Bausch and Lomb.
“Having an ultrafast laser speed shortens the treatment time. This means that we lessen the evaporation time and drying of the cornea,” explains Dr. Ang. “This also means that patients don’t have to be anxious during surgery, and there are lesser chances that they will move during the procedure.”
One of the best things about the advanced tracker technology is that it detects and adjusts to all eye movements. “So even if your eye moves up or down, left or right, the laser pulses will be fired in the correct location each time.” Iris Registration, on the other hand, ensures that your treatment will never be applied to another patient’s eyes.”
Ready to take the next step? At Asian Eye Institute, we offer advanced LASIK technology and personalized care to help you achieve your best vision here. Feel free to reach us at (02) 8-898-2020 or book an appointment here.
AEI’s main clinics are located at Phinma Plaza, with a satellite VIsion Center in Power Plant Mall, both of which are in Rockwell Center, Makati. There are also branches in TriNoma, Quezon City and Commercenter Alabang.
If your body feels fine but your eyes feel constantly exhausted, you’re not alone. Understanding why your eyes feel tired but not your body can help you recognize eye strain and know when it’s time to seek care.
If your eyes feel tired, heavy, or sore by the end of the day, you’re not alone. Many people describe eye strain as a constant sense of fatigue—burning, dryness, blurred vision, or the feeling that your eyes want to close, even after a full night’s sleep.
Occasional eye fatigue is common, especially in today’s screen-filled world. But when eye fatigue becomes a daily experience, it may be your eyes’ way of telling you that something needs attention. Understanding what causes eye strain, how it feels, and when to seek professional care can help protect both your comfort and your long-term vision.
Eye strain, also known as asthenopia, occurs when the eyes are overused or required to focus for extended periods without adequate rest.
Unlike eye diseases, eye strain doesn’t usually cause permanent damage on its own, but it can noticeably affect your comfort, productivity, and overall quality of life. That said, some eye conditions, such as early glaucoma symptoms, can be subtle at first and may mimic eye strain, which is why proper evaluation is important.
Eye strain typically develops gradually, making it easy to dismiss as “normal tiredness.” Over time, however, the discomfort may become more frequent, last longer, and grow harder to ignore.
Eye strain rarely has a single cause. It’s usually the result of several habits or conditions working together.
Staring at computers, phones, or tablets for hours reduces how often you blink. This leads to dryness, irritation, and blurred vision. Small text, poor screen contrast, and glare can make your eyes work even harder.
Even mild nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia can cause eye strain if left uncorrected. Your eyes constantly struggle to focus, leading to fatigue and headaches.
Working in lighting that’s too dim or too bright forces your eyes to adjust continuously. Glare from windows or overhead lights can worsen discomfort, especially during screen use.
Dry eye syndrome is a frequent contributor to eye strain. When tear quality or quantity is reduced, the eyes can feel sore, scratchy, or tired, often worsening in the afternoon or evening.
Reading, writing, sewing, or detailed tasks require sustained focus. Without breaks, the eye muscles become fatigued, much as overworked muscles elsewhere in the body do.
Screens that are too close, too far, or positioned at the wrong height can strain both your eyes and neck, contributing to overall discomfort.
Eye strain can feel different from person to person, but common symptoms include:
These symptoms often worsen as the day goes on and improve with rest—one of the key clues that eye strain may be the cause.
Small changes can make a noticeable difference in how your eyes feel.
While eye strain typically develops gradually, symptoms such as sudden loss of vision, severe eye pain, or a sudden increase in blurriness are not normal and require immediate medical attention.
Eye strain is often easy to manage, but if your symptoms keep coming back or seem to be getting worse, it’s worth paying attention. When tired eyes start affecting your day, causing headaches, or don’t feel better after rest, an eye checkup can help uncover what’s going on.
An eye doctor can check for refractive errors, dry eye disease, binocular vision problems, or other underlying conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms. Early evaluation helps ensure that eye strain isn’t masking a more serious issue.
Depending on your needs, treatment may include updated prescriptions, dry eye management, or, when appropriate, advanced options such as laser eye surgery to improve visual clarity and reduce eye strain.
Your eyes work hard for you every day, and constant fatigue isn’t something you have to accept as normal. With proper eye care, healthy visual habits, and regular eye examinations, many people can reduce eye strain and enjoy clearer, more comfortable vision.
When your eyes feel tired all the time, it’s often a signal—not something to brush aside. Paying attention early can help improve how your eyes feel now and protect your vision in the years ahead.
If eye fatigue is affecting your daily life, set a clinic appointment at Asian Eye Institute. Our eye specialists offer personalized care, advanced diagnostic technology, and guidance tailored to your long-term eye health.
Get in touch with us today!
