I started wearing eyeglasses when I was only 16 years old. To be exact, it had been 19 years already since I began wearing one. I also tried wearing contact lenses but was never comfortable with it that’s why I switched back to wearing eyeglasses. I have been meaning to undergo a Lasik Surgery but never had the courage and money to do it. I always tell myself “when the right time comes, I will…”
That “right time” finally came… I asked my friend Iris of Pinay Ads, who is also a blogger to accompany me to QC Eye Center as I am not familiar with the place.
How did I come across Dr. Archie Agahan?
I was actually Googling for affordable lasik rates almost 2 months ago when I chanced upon Manila Vision Correction Center in Multiply. Being a frequent FB User that I am, I wondered if he’s also on FB. I checked, found and messaged him. I was luckily offered a very good price. The deal was great so I grabbed the opportunity! Besides, his name rings a bell. I’ve seen him once on TV already. So there, deal was closed. Screening and surgery were finally scheduled. You see, it pays off to do a research online at times. To those who do not know yet, QC Eye Center and Manila Vision Correction Center are both eye centers that carry and own the Customvis Pulzar z1 solid state laser where Dr. Archie Agahan does all LASIK procedures. We, then, agreed that the surgery be performed at QC Eye Center since that place is more convenient for me.
Anyway, Iris and I met at Quezon Ave McDo last Saturday morning. Along with us came her husband and my cousin, Lheng. It is strongly advised to bring a companion on the day of the surgery, to be with you when going home as you will experience a foggy and unstable vision, and some discomfort for few hours. At half past 9am, we were already in QC Eye Center, registered and then later on proceeded with the screening.
After several tests like Schirmer strips for eye dryness, Dr. Archie Agahan, the attending Opthalmologist confirmed that I passed the screening and that we can proceed with the surgery in a while.
That’s me on scrubs while waiting for my turn. I just realized that I look good on scrubs! Photo in the middle was with Dr. Archie. One good thing about him that I really like is you won’t hesitate to ask questions as he answers them straight but with care. He even entertains text messages and phone calls anytime. Honestly, he’s one of the few approachable doctors I’ve ever encountered. Cool, jolly and friendly too! In fact, we’re already connected in FB hahaha!
It took about 20 minutes (or more) for both the eyes but it took longer with the first one (right) ‘coz I was tensed and nervous at the same time. Who wouldn’t be, surgery is a surgery regardless what kind.
I’m also glad that Dr. Archie was so considerate to let Iris take photos the whole time I was inside. You know, life of a blogger! We want everything documented as much as possible!
Look at me! All smiles after the surgery despite the foggy vision and a little discomfort! All in all, my lasik surgery went well. You must be wondering what preparation I had before the procedure. Here are the few instructions from Dr. Archie a day before the surgery:
- Do not wear contact lenses.
- No make-up and facial creams.
- Bring a companion on the day of the surgery.
I told you, Dr. Archie is not a complicated person. Not too many of dont’s! But of course, I did my own homework and research. I learned that even wearing perfume or cologne is not advisable. There should be no trace of make-ups even lipstick on the day of the surgery. Even hair products containing alcohol such as hairspray is not allowed on the day of the surgery. So to avoid complications, I religiously followed everything I read online. Wala namang mawawala. Just a little sacrifice for looking pale, and not wearing my favorite scent when I went to work last Friday.
Does it hurt? A little but tolerable. As I have said, surgery is a surgery, even if it’s just minor. If something got into your eyes, you’ll get an uneasy feeling. Same way when devices get direct contact to your eyes. Obviously, it’ll hurt a bit!
Anyway, a piece of paper was handed over to me after the surgery, all written in Tagalog. Along with that are the eye drops that I need to take for a week.
Before I left the clinic, Dr. Archie once again told me not to expect a perfect sight immediately. That I will be getting a burning feeling in my eyes in the next two hours but will feel a lot better and see clearer things at around 8pm. He was actually right! While heading back to Subic, I fell asleep in the bus and when I woke up at 9pm just in time for the stop over, I was feeling great and in fact too excited to read the billboards outside without having to wear my eyeglasses anymore for the first time after 19 long years.
At this moment, two days after the operation, I can see things clearly from far already while my eyes are still adjusting when I read closer, like 15 inches away from my laptop but definitely everything is great, no complications and no more burning sensation. However, the redness in my eyes, which is also normal as per Dr. Archie and mentioned above, is still very much seen.
Will my vision go back to 20/20? From 400(R)-375(L) with -50 astigmatism on both the eyes, that I am not sure of. As per the online researches that I have read, most likely it will be back to about 20/40. Besides, I just had the surgery done two days ago. It’s too early to conclude. The fact that I can read from far already without my eyeglasses just two days after the operation, which I couldn’t do for the past 19 years, is enough to say that the operation was somehow successful with no complications.
It was such a great experience! Definitely, no regrets that I grabbed this deal. Follow up check up is scheduled on October 8. Another good and valid excuse to meet with Iris. This time, we will definitely go for our long overdue planned 3D max bonding!
Some info about Dr. Archie Agahan
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- Works as a Clinical Associate Professor at University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH)
- Finished his Fellowship in Ocular Surface, Uveitis, and Refractive Surgery at University of Valladolid, Spain and Fellowship in Cornea and External Eye Diseases at UP-PGH
- Completed Ophthalmology Residency at UP-PGH
- Graduated with Doctor of Medicine at UP
Dr. Archie Agahan performs Lasik Surgery in:
QC Eye Center
Saturday A.M.
Anita Building Quezon Avenue
corner Timog Avenue
Manila Vision Correction Center (MVCC)
Saturday P.M.
3rd Floor, Robinson’s Place
Manila, Pedro Gil Wing
For more info about his clinic schedule/s, you may call (+632) 5023166. Or let me know so I can refer you to him. Otherwise, subscribe to Awesome.ph and standby for an awesome deal! Yes, you’ve read it right! We learned from Dr. Archie himself that Awesome.ph would be featuring a deal on QC Eye Center and MVCC Standard Lasik this coming December valued at Php65,000 for 50% off – at Php32,500. Watch out for it! Otherwise, if you are eager to have a lasik eye surgery before December, you may contact Dr. Achie and just mention that you were referred by Mitch and Iris.
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oh, thank you for this post..was actually wanting to pm you in FB to please blog the experience. my daughter is wearing 300++ vision both eyes. I’ve been seeing her online searching for lasik surgery. we’re thinking about it, but not now, hihi.. still considering the price, time, besides my daughter is only 13 but she’s been wearing eyeglasses since she was 8y/o. thanks for sharing this. 🙂
wow! good for you! I was also considering having it done on my eyes but some say it’s better done on those with high “grades”. mine’s only 125 & 175. how about you?
Hi Mommy Nuts! I just had my eyes to rest lang kasi, that’s why it took me a while to have my experience finally published!
Wow! That’s quite too high for a 13 y/o. I would suggest that you contact Dr. Archie and seek for his best advice.
hi mitch,
my husband had LASEK in st. luke’s and he’s very happy with the result. am not qualified kasi 300 lang ang grado ng mata ko e.
I was about to ask pa nmn how much and it was already written below, lol.. anyways, will refer to this post when someone I knew is ready to take the lasik, scared pa daw eh.. 🙂
Hi Rachelle! Ahhh mababa nga siguro yang sayo kasi carry pa naman ang ganyang grado kahit di masyado magsalamin.
Hi Mommy Raq! Alam ko okay ang 300 for Lasik eh. Kamusta naman sa hubby mo, gaano katagal bago nagsettle to normal ang vision nya?
Hi Mommy Josie! Tell your friend di sya masakit. May konting hapdi of course pero super tolerable sya. Parang puwing lang na maliit na naalis agad. Mas masakit ang manganak pramis!
wow!! congrats!!! i’m glad that you have gotten rid of that burden that comes with wearing eyeglasses
hmmm.. that’s very very interesting. i will consider that 🙂 left you a kiss, girl! hope i get one back, thanks!
We are also planning to have the eyes of Ishi undergo LASIK, refer us ha sis….
Informative post. Balak ng papa ko magpa-lasik pero may katarata pa na dapat munang gamutin.
That’s another good thing with technology. Congratulations on much better eyesight!
Thanks Leira!
Thanks kimmy!
Hi Cielo! Sure sis, abang abangan mo din yung sa awesome.ph.
Thanks Cecile!
am happy for you lola at finally magagamit mo na shades mo….waaah! inggit ako!
Thanks Lola! I’m truly blessed this month! Naman! Shades kung shades kahit tag-ulan LOL! At bonggang-bonggang eye shadow na ito hahaha!
Here’s my post sis http://www.pinayads.com/2011/09/lasik-surgery-offered-by-qc-eye-center-and-manila-vision-correction-center/
Good for you! I’ve been wanting to have one myself but still having second thoughts about it. By the way, this is a great blog, lots of info. Thanks for sharing.
http://www.laestetica.com.ph
Thanks sis Iris!
Thanks Loi!
Can this work for just astigmatism too? Mababa pa kasi yung distance/reading grade ko pero perwisyo ang astigmatism 🙁 Glad you’re well na! Can’t wait to see pics WITHOUT the glasses anymore!
Hi sis Kat! I’m not so sure pero as far as I know mas advisable sya sa matataas ang grado, kasi kung astigmatism din lang macocorrect pa ata yan with eyeglasses. Pero try mo din tanong kay Dr. Archie if you really are interested or itatanong ko sa next visit ko sa kanya hehe!
Congratulations. Getting Lasik surgery made such a huge difference to my enjoyment of life. Hope it works out well for you.
hi mitch, congratulations on your successful surgery. I’ve been searching the web for an affordable Lasik when i chanced upon your blog. I’m planning to have a Lasik too. I started wearing my glasses since i was in high school (2nd year i think) and switched to contact lenses from time to time. Having a 575/600 grade is not that easy. I didn’t get to appreciate the beautiful sceneries without my glasses on. Imagine me typing without glasses is really frustrating, I can’t even watch tv without it, all i see is blurry visions…:( Anyway, just dropped by to say thank you for your post, it helps a lot especially in my case where a lasik surgery is necessary. I hope you refer me to Dr. Archie Agahan when i finally decided to undergo surgery and financially ready of course….hehehe
Thank you and more power.
Hi Gracie!
I sent you an email.
Thanks for your visit!
Hi mitch! Thanks to your blog, i am now convinced to undergo lasik surgery. Do you know if they do lasik on weekdays? Im available lang kasi monday or tuesday! Looking forward to your response 🙂
Hi!
Can you refer me please? I am planning to have the lasik surgery by next month.
mataas na grado ko kasi. 500+ na huhu. please if you could. Ok din and QC eye center for me has malapit.
Salamat ng marami.
0923-3174643
Hi Kathy! I did mine on a Saturday.
Hi Paul! I already sent you an SMS.
Dont know if I could even go through that procedure. Super nerbyosa ko. Tho I had two CS operations Na.
Been wearing eyeglasses since high school. And now I’m wearing contacts when going out of the house. Hope someday I can have the courage and budget to do this.
Congratulations!
gano katagal yung screening?
hi ate mitch, i have my lasik last sept 27, and it was almost three weeks ago n, can u share me your experience while ure on that period? i still have difficulties especially at night, at ung near at far distant lng talaga ung nbabasa ku p ng malinaw, pero ung mga kalagitnaan nun, halos double vision aku. normal lng b un? how long dis ure vision become stable from fluctuation? my doctor said im just doing fine, i just need to b patience, may last checkup i was 20/30 but i have feeling dat my visiion is worse than that, thanks a lot, godbless!
Hello, I bought a voucher for QC eye center under ensogo. I’ll avail it next year and hopefully will get the best result. Can you advise how was your laser doing after a year.
Hi Mitch, thanks for this very helpful info, now I will ask my Nanay to have her Cataract surgery be done at q.c eye center, of course with the expertise of Doc Archie, may I mention your name? will I get discount if I do that? 🙂 if they asked me for the referral.
Thanks
@gie, Hi Gie, sure, you can mention my name. Yes, you will pero let me know din sis pag magpapa-lasik na sya para I can give him a heads up. Message me na lang on FB. Thanks!
Hello! Can you refer me to Dr. Agahan?
I am planning to have LASIK this month. Thank you <3
Magkano po cost ng lasik surgery, thanks
good day,
It’s been four years now since you had lasik. I would like to ask if your vision is still clear and have no eye complications. I am thinking of having lasik but I am scared because blogs tell that complications start to appear three years after the surgery. Hope you can shed light for me. Thank you
good day,
It’s been four years now since you had lasik. I would like to ask if your vision is still clear and have no eye complications. I am thinking of having lasik but I am scared because blogs tell that complications start to appear three years after the surgery. Hope you can shed light for me. Thank you
good day,
It’s been four years now since you had lasik. I would like to ask if your vision is still clear and have no eye complications. I am thinking of having lasik but I am scared because blogs tell that complications start to appear three years after the surgery. Hope you can shed light for me. Thank you
@maritess, Yes, my vision is still clear with no complications since then.
Hi Ms.Mitch, I am OFW here in UAE, at plano kong magpalasik surgery next year, grabe na po kasi ung grado ng mata ko, nsa 800 na sya at the same time may astigmatism pa ko, kaya alam kong candidate n ko sa lasik surgery, pwde ko po bang malaman ung cost ng lasik ni Dr.Archie ngaun and possible po ba kong makahingi ng discount if kayo po maging referral ko? slamat in advance po. My email add po is sherileignalvia@yahoo.com
@Sheri Leign Alvia, About Php35,000. Yeah, sure. Let me know when do you plan to have it para mairefer kita sa kanya.
@Sheri Leign Alvia, Yung Php35,000 na yun, yun na yong discounted price, all in. Not sure lang if nagbago na ang presyo kasi I had mine almost 3 years ago.
Hello pwede niyo po ba ako ma-refer kay Doc? Thanks!
Hi Pya,
Please email me so I can give you Doc’s contact number. Or send me a message on FB Messenger.
Thanks,
Mitch