Reports have shown that due to socio-economic hurdles and limited access to quality yet affordable eye health services, an estimated 4 million Filipinos have undiagnosed eye problems.
With the hope of helping bridge this gap, the homegrown optical shop George Optical, in partnership with Zeiss Vision Care, opened the first Zeiss Vision Center in the Philippines. Located at the New Greenhills Mall in San Juan City, Zeiss Vision Center offers Filipinos premium eye-care services without breaking the bank.
Zeiss is a German company with over 100 years of experience as a pioneer in lens technology, state-of-the-art refraction, and a comprehensive portfolio of customizable lenses. Those interested in science and cameras may recognize Zeiss as the name behind quality camera and cine lenses, binoculars, spotting scopes, and hunting optics.
As Zeiss Vision Center by George opened in the country, it brings cutting-edge Zeiss optical instruments to the store, offering a new and elevated experience that includes precise vision analysis, in-depth lens consultation, and a selection of fitting lenses and frames.
In an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, optometrist Dr. Geoffrey N. Co, president of George Optical, said that this whole partnership aims to offer world-class, comprehensive eye-health care services to Filipinos by providing not just fit prescription glasses but also help them detect possible causes of blindness as early as possible.
“When you go to an optical clinic the whole goal is not just to get your prescription glasses but also to check the back of your eyes and check the overall health of your eyes,” Dr. Co said.
Dr. Co, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Optometry at City University, London, with First Class Honors in 1993, is also the topnotcher of the 1996 Philippine Optometry Board Examination. “Because sometimes you might have these eye diseases that might lead you to blindness in the future, but if we catch it early, we can address it. Unless we screen you, that’s the only way we can find out.”
The Zeiss journey
For screening, the center brings not just one, but four German machines to the store. With the help of this equipment, a visit to this center becomes an extensive eye-care journey, offering comprehensive eye check-ups.
The first step in the process is Vision Needs Analysis, wherein the eye care professional asks the customers about their daily routines to determine which glasses suit their lifestyle. Next is the Precise Eye Profile, that makes use of the Zeiss i. Profiler that creates a map of the eye using wavefront technology. Third is the Eye Health Check, where the doctor checks the health of the customer’s eyes and documents the eye pressure results, the ocular tear film quality, or the cornea's condition.
Then there’s Vision Performance Analysis, where the customer undergoes eye refraction using a contactless instrument. Frame Selection will follow it with the help of the Zeiss Visit 1000 Platform, which virtually places frames on the customer’s avatar and gets accurate measurements for precise lens customization. The system suggests a selection of frames suited to the customer, considering the shape of the head, hair color, facial skin tone, and frame preferences previously entered. Step six is fitting the glasses and last is lens consultation and selection.
“When we make your glasses, you should be comfortable,” he said. "You get your eye health check and peace of mind and have your comfortable, individualized, customized eye management solution. That’s what we do here. A comprehensive journey for you.”
Customers can opt for this comprehensive eye check-up without the frames and glasses for only P1200. Those who want to do it should set aside at least an hour or more because it takes time.
When to get a checkup
With innate resiliency, Filipinos typically avoid visiting doctors for health check-ups unless it’s a life-or-death situation or when they can no longer tolerate the pain. The same attitude often applies to eye care. However, according to Dr. Co, it is recommended for people 18 years old and above to have an annual check-up. A bi-yearly visit to an eye doctor is highly recommended for children, especially now that they are frequently exposed to gadgets.
In fact, during the height of online schooling in the pandemic, the center observed an increase in the number of children developing nearsightedness. This trend prompted them to offer a Myopia Management Solution for kids.
“After the pandemic, they become nearsighted. Now we are addressing how to manage to prevent higher eyeglasses grades,” he said. “We provide solutions to kids because if it’s not addressed, the kid is more prone to glaucoma. If it happens his lifestyle experience can be limited and we don’t want that to happen that is why we offer Myopia Management Solution for the kids.”
As of this writing, George has no definite plan yet to open another Zeiss Vision Center in different locations. However, they want more Filipinos to realize that comprehensive eye care services shouldn’t be expensive and that taking care of our eyes should be part of our lifestyle. After all, we only have one pair of eyes.
“The dream is to continue what my father started, his legacy, and to continue our mission to care for the eyes of the Filipino population, the sincere care that they deserve. That’s my dream,” he ended.