Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
It's time again for your EYE REPUBLIC check up
It's time again for your eye check up. While you are making arrangements to see us, please take advantage of the EYE REPUBLIC LOYALTY & REFERRAL PROGRAM. This is your chance to help your friends, neighbors and co-workers save on their eye health beginning with their very first visit. Just share this postcard and ask them to show it during their visit. They will immediately be able to avail of the EYE REPUBLIC LOYALTY privileges including 20% OFF on consultation and diagnostic fees and 10% OFF on optical purchases and doctors' surgical fees.
You may print this blog and show it to any EYE REPUBLIC front desk staff to avail of the aforementioned discounts.
Links: http://www.eyerepublic.com.ph
http://www.ocp.com.ph
http://www.cataract.com.ph
http://www.lasik.com.ph
http://www.eye.com.ph
You may print this blog and show it to any EYE REPUBLIC front desk staff to avail of the aforementioned discounts.
Links: http://www.eyerepublic.com.ph
http://www.ocp.com.ph
http://www.cataract.com.ph
http://www.lasik.com.ph
http://www.eye.com.ph
BIZTIMES January 22-28, 2007 BT Issue No. 048 Yr. 1
EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic was listed in BizTimes last January 2007.
Focal Point Volume 13 No 2 August 2007
Dr. Manolette Roque gave a lecture on the diagnostic tests required for screening evaluations for potential patients interested in Artisan or Artiflex. Dr. Johann Reyes and Dr. Hannah de Guzman gave lectures for ophthalmologists preparing for the Philippine Board of Ophthalmology diplomate examinations.
Links:
http://www.ocp.com.ph/manolette-rangel-roque-md-mba.htm
http://www.ocp.com.ph/johann-michael-gonzaga-reyes-md.htm
http://www.ocp.com.ph/maria-hannah-pia-uyloan-de-guzman-md.htm
http://www.eyerepublic.com.ph
Links:http://www.ocp.com.ph/manolette-rangel-roque-md-mba.htm
http://www.ocp.com.ph/johann-michael-gonzaga-reyes-md.htm
http://www.ocp.com.ph/maria-hannah-pia-uyloan-de-guzman-md.htm
http://www.eyerepublic.com.ph
Sunday, August 19, 2007
NOVEL ADHESIVE FOUND EFFECTIVE FOR SEALING CORNEAL INCISIONS
News Tip from the 2005 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Johns Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2005/04_15_05.html | |
A liquid adhesive made from a protein found in human tissue is effective in sealing corneal wounds and may even be better than stitches, according to results of a Johns Hopkins study.
In animal studies, researchers discovered that modified chondroitin sulfate aldehyde was better than standard sutures at preventing rupture of experimental surgical cuts in the cornea.
"The results of our experiments showed that sutured eyes were less able to resist pressure than eyes sealed with the liquid adhesive, and none of the glued eyes leaked when subjected to the maximum pressure allowed by our experimental set up," said Johann Reyes, M.D., Wilmer Eye Institute research fellow and author of the study. "Surgical glues have been used, but the search for the ideal makeup of these adhesives for use in the eye still continues," he said.
Current methods for closing wounds in the cornea (the most superficial and transparent layer of the eye) generally involve sutures. According to the researchers, although results obtained with the suture have been proven to be safe over time, certain complications are possible including local inflammation, death of tissue near the sutures, infection and sensation of a foreign body in the eye. Various tissue adhesives have been studied previously, and those made from reabsorbable material eliminate the hassle of removing sutures.
Cosmetic surgery tourism seen viable
| |
A Philippine-based cosmetic surgery services targeted for Korean tourists is viable, a pilot study of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) revealed.
DTI Secretary Juan B. Santos said the pilot study conducted by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Seoul (PITCSeoul) showed the Philippines can break into this promising market.
"The pilot study showed that cosmetic surgery is in demand in Korea especially for Korean women, who often obtain the services of medical experts to perform eyelid operation; enhancement of cheeks, nose, and lips; and breast enlargement," Santos said.
It also revealed that three out of five Korean women aged 24 to 35 have at least one cosmetic surgery done on them and that four out of five are thinking of two more operations.
The mentioned cosmetic surgery procedures are, however, costly if performed in Korea, ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 per cosmetic operation. The same medical service only costs around $700 if done in the Philippines.
Thus, Commercial Attaché to Seoul Nic Bautista pushed for the formulation of a business model linking Philippine-based cosmetic surgery practitioners with Korean travel agents in the country to include in their vacation packages, cosmetic surgery services. The travel agents will do the packaging and marketing of the service.
"The conceptualization of the business model is in line with the DTI’s thrust to develop globally competitive Philippine service industries such as health and wellness, retirement and leisure, information and technology and logistics," Santos said.
The program could generate employment and earn foreign exchange for the country, he said.
The application of the business model followed after the recent signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Ophthalmic Consultants Philippines Co. (better known as Eye Republic) and the RP-based Korean travel agent Bingo Tour. The agreement is valid for two years. (BCM)
Under the agreement, Eye Republic, a network of ophthalmology clinics with board-certified ophthalmologists, will provide Korean national patients desiring eye and cosmetic surgery in the Philippines.
Bingo Tour, being the agent, will provide all the marketing requirements for medical tourism of Korean nationals desiring eye and cosmetic surgery in the Philippines.
"This is the first working business model of a specific cosmetic surgery product targeting a niche market—the Korean market. The success of its application will serve as basis for expanding the coverage of cosmetic services to include weight-reducing procedures whether invasive or non-invasive and spa services," Santos said.
Through the travel agents, the Philippines can market its medical services to Korean tourists free of charge since travel agents have their own network capabilities.
Clinic chain sets benchmark for outpatient care in RP
| |
When people hear the words “outpatient clinic,” they immediately assume the doctors there don’t nearly come up to the caliber of those in hospitals. But this is not always the case, as one ophthalmologist asserts, especially when it concerns Healthway, the country’s top network of outpatient medical clinics and ambulatory surgical centers.
Dr. Manolette Roque, 33 years old, is the general manager of Ophthalmic Consultants Philippines, a team of ophthalmologists involved in group practice, and manager of the group of doctors at Healthway Festival Mall in Alabang. He belongs to the original core of doctors who joined Healthway Festival Mall when it was set up in 1999.
"I believe the outpatient services that Healthway provides is the way to go for health services," says Dr. Roque. "Healthway addresses patients’ concerns like transportation difficulties, their anxieties about being brought to a hospital, and the problems of day care."
He adds: "It’s a one-stop-shop inside a high volume area, in this case, the malls. Children and grandparents and their families can have both treatment and treats. The husband or grandparent may have his eye checkup while the wife goes to the beauty salon. For the kids, it’s a jolly treat of their favorite hamburger, pizza or ice cream right outside the door of the clinic, after the doctor has examined them."
This concept is also quite revolutionary considering that patients can now avail of the expertise of specialists on one go, on the same floor. "We respect subspecialty referrals," elaborates Dr. Roque. "If, for example, I see a patient with retinal detachment, I will not keep that patient for myself, but will refer him to another doctor, a surgical retina specialist. In the same way, if someone wants to have a brow lift or plastic surgery for the eyelids, we send him over to an ocuplastics surgeon. We provide the patient the opportunity to see the best doctors to treat his particular problem and thereby also provide him with the optimum care possible."
Patients are rest assured that they are examined by doctors who are the best in their field. Dr. Roque himself graduated from the Intarmed Program of the UP College of Medicine in Manila in 1995 and completed his internship and residency at the Philippine General Hospital. While taking up his residency, Dr. Roque put up the first of his two websites, www.webeyemd.com. and www.eyerepublic.com.ph, to remedy the lack of information regarding ophthalmology.
Before joining Healthway, he went to the United States for a research fellowship in ocular immunology and uveitis at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of the Harvard Medical School, further learning skills in cornea and refractive surgery in the same institution. He received his Diplomate in Ophthalmology from the Philippine Board of Ophthalmology in 2002, topping the Oral Diplomate Board Examination and ranking ninth in the written exam.
As a specialist in ocular immunology and uveitis, Dr. Roque deals with inflammatory and autoimmune eye diseases. Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea or the inner part of the eye encompassing the iris, choroid, and ciliary body. His specialization is also concerned with all systemic diseases that affect the eye. As an ocular immunologist, he examines patients like an internist would, checking the whole body and not just the eyes.
Dr. Roque’s fields of interest has him performing anterior segment surgery of the eyes. This includes surgeries of the conjunctiva, sclera, cornea, iris and lens, which include grafts, transplants, prk, customized lasik and small incision cataract surgeries. He also treats external diseases of the eyes.
Dr. Roque hopes to finish his master’s in Business Administration in health at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business after two more years. "It will help me in managing my company [OCP], the practice, and the business aspect of ophthalmology," he says. "It will also allow us to provide good service and optimize our resources."
Dr. Roque and his colleagues also benefit from the set-up offered by Healthway which helps them do more. "Healthway has set the benchmark for outpatient care in the country," he says. "I am confident they will continue to excel in this particular line of healthcare delivery, which addresses a niche market of patients who would rather see doctors in outpatient clinics or ambulatory surgical centers." Many similar establishments are cropping up around the city, Dr. Roque observes, but he’s confident that Healthway will continue to be the leader in its field.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Computer Eye Syndrome
This topic was lifted from a full article written by J. Leahy of Health Today. Just scroll down if you wish to read the full article.
EYES BREAKER
The eyes are also a particularly vulnerable area for office workers. Manolette Roque, M.D., consultant ophthalmologist at Eye Republic and Asian Hospital, has seen a sharp increase in the number of patients experiencing eye problems as a result of long hours spent in front of a computer. "We call it computer eyestrain and the symptoms can be dry, stinging eyes, blurring of vision or even headaches." The combination of staring at a computer screen for long periods without a break and the drying effect of air conditioning and low humidity in office buildings can make working very uncomfortable. As with CTD, computer eyestrain can be avoided (see "Give your eyes a break").
Roque suggests that all office workers have their eyes tested by an ophthalmologist as refractive problems, such as astigmatism, need to be corrected with proper eyeglasses, ideally using multicoated lenses to minimize glare, reflection and UV radiation. Failure to address even minor vision problems can result in very painful headaches due to straining of the eye muscles. Roque, who runs a Web site for patients (www.WebEyeMD.com), also recommends office workers to increase the humidity in their workspace by placing a dish of water at a window; as the water evaporates, extra moisture is added to the air. This reduces the drying effect on the eyes.
"Most people over 40 require vision correction for reading or performing other near-vision tasks such as computer work," says Roque. Talk with your eye specialist about the kind of work you do, how much time you spend in front of a computer, how your workstation is set up, and so on. There are lenses available that have been specially designed for computer users and even those with apparently perfect vision may be advised to use them.
Full article reprinted with permission from HealthToday Online Copyright 2004. HT Online (www.healthtoday.net)
Don't let your office job make you ill
There's a lot you can do to make your work and workplace safer and healthier. By Johanna C. Leahy, Ph.D.
Office workers make up almost half the world's working population-that's several hundred million people sitting at desks and staring at computers 5 or 6 days a week. While such numbers hardly conjure up images of people living dangerously, sitting at a desk to earn a living can have serious adverse affects on a person's health. So before you spend another day slogging it out on your computer, stop and consider the health risks lurking in your workplace. The sooner you realize how you can avoid office-related illnesses, the healthier (and happier) you will be.
LABOR PAINS
"People spending 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, in front of a computer will start experiencing health problems within 1 to 2 years," says Ben Adorable, M.D. of the Philippine Chiropractic Healthcare Institute.
The problems he is referring to are soft tissue injuries, known as cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), in which muscles, tendons and nerves become irritated or inflamed. CTD, which is sometimes referred to as repetitive strain injury (RSI), is the leading cause of injury among office workers. The most commonly recognized examples of CTD are low back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the wrist. Problems can also occur in the fingers, arms, neck and shoulders.
Injuries are caused by a combination of poor posture, continued repetition of movements, such as pressing computer keys and the sedentary nature of office work. Initial signs of CTD can be fatigue, numbness and general aching of the affected area. At first, symptoms tend to occur only after prolonged activity and then disappear when the work is stopped. However, as damage progresses, rest is not enough to alleviate the pain. If left untreated, CTD can cause extreme pain and become debilitating. Treatment options include rest, application of ice packs, physical therapy, cortisone injections and surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.
The good news is that CTD is relatively easy to prevent (see "Avoid CTD"). Arranging your workstation to avoid unnecessary reaching and straining of muscles is undoubtedly an important factor.
However, Donald Lim, M.D., an occupational health adviser in Singapore, says, "even if you have the best-designed office workstation, the body is 'made' to move. Keeping still can strain the muscles and ligaments, making one feel tired and unproductive." He advocates regular stretching and hydration to reduce fatigue and promote a sense of well-being, suggesting that workers use a timer to remind them to stop, stretch and drink some liquid.
For office workers who are serious about maintaining the health of their muscles and skeletal system, Adorable recommends regular chiropractic adjustment even if they are not experiencing any pain. "It is best to treat the problem before it arises," he stresses. If you are already experiencing CTD symptoms, see your physician immediately. Take action before it's too late, and work literally becomes too painful to bear.
EYES BREAKER
The eyes are also a particularly vulnerable area for office workers. Manolette Roque, M.D., consultant ophthalmologist at Eye Republic and Asian Hospital, has seen a sharp increase in the number of patients experiencing eye problems as a result of long hours spent in front of a computer. "We call it computer eyestrain and the symptoms can be dry, stinging eyes, blurring of vision or even headaches." The combination of staring at a computer screen for long periods without a break and the drying effect of air conditioning and low humidity in office buildings can make working very uncomfortable. As with CTD, computer eyestrain can be avoided (see "Give your eyes a break").
Roque suggests that all office workers have their eyes tested by an ophthalmologist as refractive problems, such as astigmatism, need to be corrected with proper eyeglasses, ideally using multicoated lenses to minimize glare, reflection and UV radiation. Failure to address even minor vision problems can result in very painful headaches due to straining of the eye muscles. Roque, who runs a Web site for patients (www.WebEyeMD.com), also recommends office workers to increase the humidity in their workspace by placing a dish of water at a window; as the water evaporates, extra moisture is added to the air. This reduces the drying effect on the eyes.
"Most people over 40 require vision correction for reading or performing other near-vision tasks such as computer work," says Roque. Talk with your eye specialist about the kind of work you do, how much time you spend in front of a computer, how your workstation is set up, and so on. There are lenses available that have been specially designed for computer users and even those with apparently perfect vision may be advised to use them.
AIR OF ILL HEALTH
Air conditioning is a fact of life in Asia. Many buildings are tightly sealed to conserve energy; thus, office air is often recycled, and mechanical systems and filters are used to control ventilation. Poorly maintained air conditioning systems, as well as toxins from photocopiers and dust, compromise indoor air quality and have been cited as causes of sick building syndrome (SBS).
In 1982, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized the existence of SBS. More than 20 years later, the condition is still poorly understood. The fact that it cannot be precisely diagnosed is of little consolation to the millions of people who suffer from symptoms as diverse as fatigue, headaches, dizziness, stuffy nose as well as poor concentration and respiratory problems. What is clear is that SBS differs from specific building-related diseases such as Legionnaires' disease. In SBS, symptoms disappear when workers spend time away from their office building.
A 1998 study by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore Department of the Environment found that "at least 1 in 5 office workers in Singapore suffered from SBS." However, Associate Professor Swee Cheng Foo of NUS, who was part of the study, pointed out that indoor air quality alone was found to be an unreliable predictor of symptoms; work stress, poor lighting and lack of control over building temperature were also identified as possible triggers for the disease.
A study by Birmingham Heartlands Hospital in the U.K. appears to confirm the complexity of the illness. It concluded that symptoms are more common among women, those lower down the office hierarchy, and those who are stressed by their working environment. It seems that a combination of physical, biological and psychological factors cause the syndrome although there is no clear evidence yet of a direct cause-effect relationship.
"The best advice I [can give] is to open the windows and let the fresh air in," says Lim. As impractical as this may be in a tropical environment, it does highlight the one fact that is known about tackling SBS: increasing ventilation rates and properly maintaining air-conditioning systems reduces symptoms. Research into the syndrome continues. In the meantime, the best you can do is to encourage employers and co-workers to give serious consideration to both indoor air quality and maintaining a pleasant office environment.
DIRTY FINGERS
If there was one positive outcome from the recent severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, it was the focus the illness put on personal hygiene. The office is a haven for bugs and germs, and good hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections.
SARS, influenza and colds are transmitted in the same way - via fine droplets and by transferring freshly contaminated mucous secretions to the nostrils and eyes. Studies have shown that the risk of catching flu can be dramatically reduced by just hand hygiene. "Hand hygiene is important as you just need to watch a person for half an hour and you will be surprised how often they make contact with the face using their fingers," says Lim. Ensuring that workers wash their hands properly after using the washroom is also very important in reducing transmission of gastrointestinal infections.
Good hand-washing means using an adequate amount of soap combined with hot water, rubbing the hands together to create friction for at least 10 seconds and rinsing under running water. Hands should then be dried with a single use towel or under a dryer. Touching dirty surfaces should be avoided when leaving the bathroom.
The message is clear: careful attention to hygiene and keeping your hands away from your face are simple steps that can help make your office a healthier place.
Careful attention to hygiene and keeping your hands away from your face are simple steps that can help make your office a healthier place.
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
Occupational stress is a growing problem. In Europe, 50 percent to 60 percent of all lost working days are related to stress at work, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Work-related stress is the biggest occupational health problem in the world after musculoskeletal disorders.
Lim says that the most common stress-related illnesses among his patients are tension headaches, fatigue, insomnia, recurrent coughs and colds, as well as musculoskeletal problems such as neck and backache. However, chronic stress can have far more devastating consequences.
"Stress at work is cutting lives short," said Brendan Barber, general secretary of the U.K.-based Trades Union Congress (TUC). A recent TUC study of workers from all over the world claims that exposure to stress in the workplace significantly increases your chances of dying from a heart attack or a stroke.
So why are people getting so stressed? Heavy workload, lack of autonomy, low interpersonal support, under-utilization of skills, lack of control over work, wage scales and repetitive work have been identified as major contributors to workplace stress. In cities such as Manila, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, battling traffic can increase blood pressure long before you even reach your desk.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE At the end of the day, unhealthy workers are bad news for everybody - employees, employers and society in general. Working in an office may expose you to a multitude of health risks but there is a lot you can do to stay healthy.
"It's worth remembering that while occupational illnesses are preventable, not all occupational illnesses are curable," says Leni Ramirez, M.D., an occupational health adviser. Good nutrition, proper hydration, regular exercise and adequate rest combined with good practice, awareness of health issues and a little bit of effort are your best weapons against ill health.
Reprinted with permission from HealthToday Online Copyright 2004. HT Online (www.healthtoday.net)
EYES BREAKER
The eyes are also a particularly vulnerable area for office workers. Manolette Roque, M.D., consultant ophthalmologist at Eye Republic and Asian Hospital, has seen a sharp increase in the number of patients experiencing eye problems as a result of long hours spent in front of a computer. "We call it computer eyestrain and the symptoms can be dry, stinging eyes, blurring of vision or even headaches." The combination of staring at a computer screen for long periods without a break and the drying effect of air conditioning and low humidity in office buildings can make working very uncomfortable. As with CTD, computer eyestrain can be avoided (see "Give your eyes a break").
Roque suggests that all office workers have their eyes tested by an ophthalmologist as refractive problems, such as astigmatism, need to be corrected with proper eyeglasses, ideally using multicoated lenses to minimize glare, reflection and UV radiation. Failure to address even minor vision problems can result in very painful headaches due to straining of the eye muscles. Roque, who runs a Web site for patients (www.WebEyeMD.com), also recommends office workers to increase the humidity in their workspace by placing a dish of water at a window; as the water evaporates, extra moisture is added to the air. This reduces the drying effect on the eyes.
"Most people over 40 require vision correction for reading or performing other near-vision tasks such as computer work," says Roque. Talk with your eye specialist about the kind of work you do, how much time you spend in front of a computer, how your workstation is set up, and so on. There are lenses available that have been specially designed for computer users and even those with apparently perfect vision may be advised to use them.
Full article reprinted with permission from HealthToday Online Copyright 2004. HT Online (www.healthtoday.net)
Don't let your office job make you ill
There's a lot you can do to make your work and workplace safer and healthier. By Johanna C. Leahy, Ph.D.
Office workers make up almost half the world's working population-that's several hundred million people sitting at desks and staring at computers 5 or 6 days a week. While such numbers hardly conjure up images of people living dangerously, sitting at a desk to earn a living can have serious adverse affects on a person's health. So before you spend another day slogging it out on your computer, stop and consider the health risks lurking in your workplace. The sooner you realize how you can avoid office-related illnesses, the healthier (and happier) you will be.
LABOR PAINS
"People spending 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, in front of a computer will start experiencing health problems within 1 to 2 years," says Ben Adorable, M.D. of the Philippine Chiropractic Healthcare Institute.
The problems he is referring to are soft tissue injuries, known as cumulative trauma disorder (CTD), in which muscles, tendons and nerves become irritated or inflamed. CTD, which is sometimes referred to as repetitive strain injury (RSI), is the leading cause of injury among office workers. The most commonly recognized examples of CTD are low back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the wrist. Problems can also occur in the fingers, arms, neck and shoulders.
Injuries are caused by a combination of poor posture, continued repetition of movements, such as pressing computer keys and the sedentary nature of office work. Initial signs of CTD can be fatigue, numbness and general aching of the affected area. At first, symptoms tend to occur only after prolonged activity and then disappear when the work is stopped. However, as damage progresses, rest is not enough to alleviate the pain. If left untreated, CTD can cause extreme pain and become debilitating. Treatment options include rest, application of ice packs, physical therapy, cortisone injections and surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.
The good news is that CTD is relatively easy to prevent (see "Avoid CTD"). Arranging your workstation to avoid unnecessary reaching and straining of muscles is undoubtedly an important factor.
However, Donald Lim, M.D., an occupational health adviser in Singapore, says, "even if you have the best-designed office workstation, the body is 'made' to move. Keeping still can strain the muscles and ligaments, making one feel tired and unproductive." He advocates regular stretching and hydration to reduce fatigue and promote a sense of well-being, suggesting that workers use a timer to remind them to stop, stretch and drink some liquid.
For office workers who are serious about maintaining the health of their muscles and skeletal system, Adorable recommends regular chiropractic adjustment even if they are not experiencing any pain. "It is best to treat the problem before it arises," he stresses. If you are already experiencing CTD symptoms, see your physician immediately. Take action before it's too late, and work literally becomes too painful to bear.
EYES BREAKER
The eyes are also a particularly vulnerable area for office workers. Manolette Roque, M.D., consultant ophthalmologist at Eye Republic and Asian Hospital, has seen a sharp increase in the number of patients experiencing eye problems as a result of long hours spent in front of a computer. "We call it computer eyestrain and the symptoms can be dry, stinging eyes, blurring of vision or even headaches." The combination of staring at a computer screen for long periods without a break and the drying effect of air conditioning and low humidity in office buildings can make working very uncomfortable. As with CTD, computer eyestrain can be avoided (see "Give your eyes a break").
Roque suggests that all office workers have their eyes tested by an ophthalmologist as refractive problems, such as astigmatism, need to be corrected with proper eyeglasses, ideally using multicoated lenses to minimize glare, reflection and UV radiation. Failure to address even minor vision problems can result in very painful headaches due to straining of the eye muscles. Roque, who runs a Web site for patients (www.WebEyeMD.com), also recommends office workers to increase the humidity in their workspace by placing a dish of water at a window; as the water evaporates, extra moisture is added to the air. This reduces the drying effect on the eyes.
"Most people over 40 require vision correction for reading or performing other near-vision tasks such as computer work," says Roque. Talk with your eye specialist about the kind of work you do, how much time you spend in front of a computer, how your workstation is set up, and so on. There are lenses available that have been specially designed for computer users and even those with apparently perfect vision may be advised to use them.
AIR OF ILL HEALTH
Air conditioning is a fact of life in Asia. Many buildings are tightly sealed to conserve energy; thus, office air is often recycled, and mechanical systems and filters are used to control ventilation. Poorly maintained air conditioning systems, as well as toxins from photocopiers and dust, compromise indoor air quality and have been cited as causes of sick building syndrome (SBS).
In 1982, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally recognized the existence of SBS. More than 20 years later, the condition is still poorly understood. The fact that it cannot be precisely diagnosed is of little consolation to the millions of people who suffer from symptoms as diverse as fatigue, headaches, dizziness, stuffy nose as well as poor concentration and respiratory problems. What is clear is that SBS differs from specific building-related diseases such as Legionnaires' disease. In SBS, symptoms disappear when workers spend time away from their office building.
A 1998 study by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore Department of the Environment found that "at least 1 in 5 office workers in Singapore suffered from SBS." However, Associate Professor Swee Cheng Foo of NUS, who was part of the study, pointed out that indoor air quality alone was found to be an unreliable predictor of symptoms; work stress, poor lighting and lack of control over building temperature were also identified as possible triggers for the disease.
A study by Birmingham Heartlands Hospital in the U.K. appears to confirm the complexity of the illness. It concluded that symptoms are more common among women, those lower down the office hierarchy, and those who are stressed by their working environment. It seems that a combination of physical, biological and psychological factors cause the syndrome although there is no clear evidence yet of a direct cause-effect relationship.
"The best advice I [can give] is to open the windows and let the fresh air in," says Lim. As impractical as this may be in a tropical environment, it does highlight the one fact that is known about tackling SBS: increasing ventilation rates and properly maintaining air-conditioning systems reduces symptoms. Research into the syndrome continues. In the meantime, the best you can do is to encourage employers and co-workers to give serious consideration to both indoor air quality and maintaining a pleasant office environment.
DIRTY FINGERS
If there was one positive outcome from the recent severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, it was the focus the illness put on personal hygiene. The office is a haven for bugs and germs, and good hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections.
SARS, influenza and colds are transmitted in the same way - via fine droplets and by transferring freshly contaminated mucous secretions to the nostrils and eyes. Studies have shown that the risk of catching flu can be dramatically reduced by just hand hygiene. "Hand hygiene is important as you just need to watch a person for half an hour and you will be surprised how often they make contact with the face using their fingers," says Lim. Ensuring that workers wash their hands properly after using the washroom is also very important in reducing transmission of gastrointestinal infections.
Good hand-washing means using an adequate amount of soap combined with hot water, rubbing the hands together to create friction for at least 10 seconds and rinsing under running water. Hands should then be dried with a single use towel or under a dryer. Touching dirty surfaces should be avoided when leaving the bathroom.
The message is clear: careful attention to hygiene and keeping your hands away from your face are simple steps that can help make your office a healthier place.
Careful attention to hygiene and keeping your hands away from your face are simple steps that can help make your office a healthier place.
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
Occupational stress is a growing problem. In Europe, 50 percent to 60 percent of all lost working days are related to stress at work, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Work-related stress is the biggest occupational health problem in the world after musculoskeletal disorders.
Lim says that the most common stress-related illnesses among his patients are tension headaches, fatigue, insomnia, recurrent coughs and colds, as well as musculoskeletal problems such as neck and backache. However, chronic stress can have far more devastating consequences.
"Stress at work is cutting lives short," said Brendan Barber, general secretary of the U.K.-based Trades Union Congress (TUC). A recent TUC study of workers from all over the world claims that exposure to stress in the workplace significantly increases your chances of dying from a heart attack or a stroke.
So why are people getting so stressed? Heavy workload, lack of autonomy, low interpersonal support, under-utilization of skills, lack of control over work, wage scales and repetitive work have been identified as major contributors to workplace stress. In cities such as Manila, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, battling traffic can increase blood pressure long before you even reach your desk.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE At the end of the day, unhealthy workers are bad news for everybody - employees, employers and society in general. Working in an office may expose you to a multitude of health risks but there is a lot you can do to stay healthy.
"It's worth remembering that while occupational illnesses are preventable, not all occupational illnesses are curable," says Leni Ramirez, M.D., an occupational health adviser. Good nutrition, proper hydration, regular exercise and adequate rest combined with good practice, awareness of health issues and a little bit of effort are your best weapons against ill health.
Reprinted with permission from HealthToday Online Copyright 2004. HT Online (www.healthtoday.net)
“Can my baby see?” – Vision screening in infants and children
“Can my baby see?” – Vision screening in infants and children
by Manolette R. Roque, MD, MBA
“Can my baby see? Is his vision normal for his age? How can you tell? How often should I have my baby seen?” These are some of the frequent questions that anxious new parents ask me in clinic. I will attempt to answer them in simple terms in order to provide the readers of BABY magazine enough useful information to guide them with their new role.
It is extremely important to remember that pediatric visual screening uses simple yet powerful techniques to detect ocular disorders at a young age when treatment is most effective. Unbeknownst to many parents, the developing visual system of infants and children can be permanently damaged by an abnormal visual image which may be caused by ocular misalignment (strabismus or squint), obstructed ocular media (lid ptosis, corneal opacity, cataract, and vitreous hemorrhage), high or unequal refractive error (anisometropia), or unsteady visual images (nystagmus). Significant ocular disease may often be missed, especially if only one eye is affected. Sometimes, vision-, as well as, life-threatening (retinoblastoma) disease may present with ocular signs.
When identifying visual abnormalities, it is important to understand the normal visual development. If you know what is normal for a child’s age, it would be easier to detect abnormal visual function. Visual acuity is expressed as a fraction. The top number refers to the distance you stand from the chart, usually 20 feet. The bottom number indicates the distance at which a person with normal eyesight could read the same line you correctly read. The less the bottom number in the visual acuity ratio, the better the acuity; and the greater the bottom number, the worse the acuity. Visual acuity at birth is quite poor, typically 20/1600, due to the immaturity of the central nervous system visual pathways and visual processing areas. Visual acuity improves to 20/100 by four months of age, and theoretically reaches nearly 20/20 by 12 months of age. A cooperative three year old should be able to demonstrate a visual acuity of 20/40, and a five year old 20/30. Many newborns show variable ocular alignment, with 70% showing exotropia (outward turning of eyes) and 30% having straight eyes. Esotropia (inward turning of eyes) is rare. By two or three months of age, most infants would have straight eyes. Misaligned eyes beyond three months of age require ophthalmic evaluation.
On more than one occasion, a general ophthalmologist will confess to seeing a parent distraught over the thought of not being able to improve the vision, despite proper spectacle correction, of his school aged child after having gone through an initial visual test at age ten or above! Abnormal visual development (amblyopia) is due to abnormal visual stimulation by blurred, misaligned, or unsteady visual image(s). It may be classified into several types, namely: (1) deprivation, from cataract, corneal opacity; (2) anisometropic, from unequal refractive error, (3) strabismic, from ocular misalignment, (4) bilateral deprivation, from cataract of both eyes, nystagmus, (5) bilateral ametropic, from high refractive error of both eyes, and (6) occlusion, from excessive patching of the good eye. The treatment of amblyopia is step-wise in fashion. First, the obstruction in light entry is addressed. Ocular media is cleared by cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, etc. Once the media is clear, the image is focused with glasses, contact lenses, or occasionally intraocular lenses. Finally, ocular dominance is corrected by patching or blurring the better seeing eye.
A lot of parents inquire as to when they should bring in their baby for eye examination. We recommend that pediatricians, the front liners (!), screen at birth, six months, three years and five years of age. It is further recommended that children be subjected to an annual screening at school age until secondary school. An effective pediatric vision screening examination involves (1) inspection, (2) visual acuity testing, (3) ocular alignment testing, and (4) fundus red reflex testing. Ophthalmologists may be seen directly for this purpose.
Allow me to give you a brief overview of each of the four distinct components of an effective pediatric vision screening examination. INSPECTION may be performed by the parents even before consultation. It is obtained by the physician as the child is greeted and while the history is taken from the parents. The following findings are determined: asymmetry of corneal size, pupil size or eyelid position, head turn or head tilt, nystagmus, obvious strabismus, tearing, ocular redness, ocular discharge, and abnormal eye structure. VISUAL ACUITY TESTING can be tricky in babies and children. It is initially done binocularly, followed by monocular (patching one eye) testing. The test method depends on the age of the child. In newborns, one looks for a glare response to a bright light stimulus. A three month old baby should fix upon and follow the examiner’s face. A six month old should fix and follow a brightly (red/yellow) colored toy, sometimes attached to a bright light. One can be more ingenious with one year olds by allowing them to reach out for goodies (candy/cereal) placed in one of two outstretched hands. The examiner has to be quick in determining the response of babies at this age. Any asymmetry in response between the two eyes requires repeat testing, sometimes on a different clinic visit, or immediate referral to an ophthalmologist for further testing. Occlusion of one eye may sometimes result in a crying fit, a big red flag for monocular preference. Preferential gaze or use of one eye should also alert the parent or physician of poor vision on one eye. Verbal children (three years or older) are much easier to test quantitatively with games of matching symbols. A lot of pediatric charts are now out in the market for this purpose. Poor results with these standardized tests warrants a comprehensive eye examination with an ophthalmologist. OCULAR ALIGNMENT TESTING may be performed by the corneal light reflex test, cover test, and fundus red reflex test. The parent may initially perform the corneal light reflex test, using a bright light in a dimmed room, by searching for the corneal light reflex in the middle of both pupils. A decentration of the reflex heralds the presence of strabismus. Lateral (temporal) decentration means the eye is turned inward (esotropia), while medial (nasal) decentration means the eye is turned outward (exotropia). Vertical deviations (hypertropia and hypotropia) may also be identified this way. The second and third tests are more difficult procedures requiring skilled examiners. The cover test is the gold standard for diagnosing strabismus. Ophthalmologists use a combination of prisms and covers to check for shifting or refixation of eyes. The fundus red reflex test (Bruckner Test), is a simple yet powerful test to detect unequal refractive error, media opacity, strabismus, corneal abrasions, and foreign bodies. This test is an integral part of newborn examination. The use of eyelid speculums may be needed in order to complete this test.
I hope this summary is clear and concise enough to be of use to our new parents out there! The benefit of early detection of eye disease, through early treatment with improved outcomes, far outweighs the mild hassle of pediatric vision screening. Go see your pediatrician and ophthalmologist today.
MANOLETTE R. ROQUE, MD, MBA
Email: manolette.roque@eyerepublic.com.ph
by Manolette R. Roque, MD, MBA
“Can my baby see? Is his vision normal for his age? How can you tell? How often should I have my baby seen?” These are some of the frequent questions that anxious new parents ask me in clinic. I will attempt to answer them in simple terms in order to provide the readers of BABY magazine enough useful information to guide them with their new role.
It is extremely important to remember that pediatric visual screening uses simple yet powerful techniques to detect ocular disorders at a young age when treatment is most effective. Unbeknownst to many parents, the developing visual system of infants and children can be permanently damaged by an abnormal visual image which may be caused by ocular misalignment (strabismus or squint), obstructed ocular media (lid ptosis, corneal opacity, cataract, and vitreous hemorrhage), high or unequal refractive error (anisometropia), or unsteady visual images (nystagmus). Significant ocular disease may often be missed, especially if only one eye is affected. Sometimes, vision-, as well as, life-threatening (retinoblastoma) disease may present with ocular signs.
When identifying visual abnormalities, it is important to understand the normal visual development. If you know what is normal for a child’s age, it would be easier to detect abnormal visual function. Visual acuity is expressed as a fraction. The top number refers to the distance you stand from the chart, usually 20 feet. The bottom number indicates the distance at which a person with normal eyesight could read the same line you correctly read. The less the bottom number in the visual acuity ratio, the better the acuity; and the greater the bottom number, the worse the acuity. Visual acuity at birth is quite poor, typically 20/1600, due to the immaturity of the central nervous system visual pathways and visual processing areas. Visual acuity improves to 20/100 by four months of age, and theoretically reaches nearly 20/20 by 12 months of age. A cooperative three year old should be able to demonstrate a visual acuity of 20/40, and a five year old 20/30. Many newborns show variable ocular alignment, with 70% showing exotropia (outward turning of eyes) and 30% having straight eyes. Esotropia (inward turning of eyes) is rare. By two or three months of age, most infants would have straight eyes. Misaligned eyes beyond three months of age require ophthalmic evaluation.
On more than one occasion, a general ophthalmologist will confess to seeing a parent distraught over the thought of not being able to improve the vision, despite proper spectacle correction, of his school aged child after having gone through an initial visual test at age ten or above! Abnormal visual development (amblyopia) is due to abnormal visual stimulation by blurred, misaligned, or unsteady visual image(s). It may be classified into several types, namely: (1) deprivation, from cataract, corneal opacity; (2) anisometropic, from unequal refractive error, (3) strabismic, from ocular misalignment, (4) bilateral deprivation, from cataract of both eyes, nystagmus, (5) bilateral ametropic, from high refractive error of both eyes, and (6) occlusion, from excessive patching of the good eye. The treatment of amblyopia is step-wise in fashion. First, the obstruction in light entry is addressed. Ocular media is cleared by cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, etc. Once the media is clear, the image is focused with glasses, contact lenses, or occasionally intraocular lenses. Finally, ocular dominance is corrected by patching or blurring the better seeing eye.
A lot of parents inquire as to when they should bring in their baby for eye examination. We recommend that pediatricians, the front liners (!), screen at birth, six months, three years and five years of age. It is further recommended that children be subjected to an annual screening at school age until secondary school. An effective pediatric vision screening examination involves (1) inspection, (2) visual acuity testing, (3) ocular alignment testing, and (4) fundus red reflex testing. Ophthalmologists may be seen directly for this purpose.
Allow me to give you a brief overview of each of the four distinct components of an effective pediatric vision screening examination. INSPECTION may be performed by the parents even before consultation. It is obtained by the physician as the child is greeted and while the history is taken from the parents. The following findings are determined: asymmetry of corneal size, pupil size or eyelid position, head turn or head tilt, nystagmus, obvious strabismus, tearing, ocular redness, ocular discharge, and abnormal eye structure. VISUAL ACUITY TESTING can be tricky in babies and children. It is initially done binocularly, followed by monocular (patching one eye) testing. The test method depends on the age of the child. In newborns, one looks for a glare response to a bright light stimulus. A three month old baby should fix upon and follow the examiner’s face. A six month old should fix and follow a brightly (red/yellow) colored toy, sometimes attached to a bright light. One can be more ingenious with one year olds by allowing them to reach out for goodies (candy/cereal) placed in one of two outstretched hands. The examiner has to be quick in determining the response of babies at this age. Any asymmetry in response between the two eyes requires repeat testing, sometimes on a different clinic visit, or immediate referral to an ophthalmologist for further testing. Occlusion of one eye may sometimes result in a crying fit, a big red flag for monocular preference. Preferential gaze or use of one eye should also alert the parent or physician of poor vision on one eye. Verbal children (three years or older) are much easier to test quantitatively with games of matching symbols. A lot of pediatric charts are now out in the market for this purpose. Poor results with these standardized tests warrants a comprehensive eye examination with an ophthalmologist. OCULAR ALIGNMENT TESTING may be performed by the corneal light reflex test, cover test, and fundus red reflex test. The parent may initially perform the corneal light reflex test, using a bright light in a dimmed room, by searching for the corneal light reflex in the middle of both pupils. A decentration of the reflex heralds the presence of strabismus. Lateral (temporal) decentration means the eye is turned inward (esotropia), while medial (nasal) decentration means the eye is turned outward (exotropia). Vertical deviations (hypertropia and hypotropia) may also be identified this way. The second and third tests are more difficult procedures requiring skilled examiners. The cover test is the gold standard for diagnosing strabismus. Ophthalmologists use a combination of prisms and covers to check for shifting or refixation of eyes. The fundus red reflex test (Bruckner Test), is a simple yet powerful test to detect unequal refractive error, media opacity, strabismus, corneal abrasions, and foreign bodies. This test is an integral part of newborn examination. The use of eyelid speculums may be needed in order to complete this test.
I hope this summary is clear and concise enough to be of use to our new parents out there! The benefit of early detection of eye disease, through early treatment with improved outcomes, far outweighs the mild hassle of pediatric vision screening. Go see your pediatrician and ophthalmologist today.
MANOLETTE R. ROQUE, MD, MBA
Email: manolette.roque@eyerepublic.com.ph
Friday, July 27, 2007
Barbara Roque - Asian Hospital Website 2
She is also at http://www.asianhospital.com/cosme_map.html.
Barbara Roque - Asian Hospital Website
If you visit http://www.asianhospital.com/cosme_travelagents.html, you will see our very own Dr. Barbara Roque.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Post LASIK evaluation
Dr. Manolette Roque examining Ms. Kitty Lim, a very satisfied post LASIK patient. View her video testimonial.
Philippine Medical Tourism Congress
GMA 7 interview during the 1st Philippine Medical Tourism Congress at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
ASCRS Ophthalmology Image Library
Dr. Manolette Roque is the third largest contributor to the ASCRS Ophthalmology Image Library as of March 29, 2007.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
1st World Health Tourism Congress
The Philippine STAR Sunday, June 25, 2006
The National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) President Angel Ramos Bognot (fourth from left), the lone travel and tour executive who attended the recently concluded 1st World Health Tourism Congress, held in Weisbaden, Germany together with the University of Santo Tomas Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Cenon Alfonso (left). Shown with them are Arnold Gonzales, Sales and PR Manager, Kaiserhotstrasse Frankfurt, Germany; Dr. Manolette Roque, Eye Republic Ophthalmology Clinic, Asian Hospital; Bognot; Dr. Ernesto Santos, Director, Communications and Marketing, Makati Medical Center; Joven Cuanang, M.D., Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs, St. Luke’s Medical Center; Tourism Director Kelly Nel; Ralph Ivan Gutierez, Head HR, World CitiMed, QC; Ma. Cristina Liwanag, SVP for Corporate Affairs, St. Luke’s Medical Center; and Arlyn Grace Guico, President, World CitiMed, QC
Monday, March 05, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
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