Fatima University Medical Center (FUMC) has made a significant milestone by becoming the first hospital in Southeast Asia certified to train doctors in SMILE eye surgery. This innovative procedure allows patients to achieve clear vision without the need for blades or eye flaps.
“We were the first to install the Zeiss Visumax 800 platform in the Philippines, and now we’re the first to be certified to train doctors in SMILE,” said Dr. Vicente Paolo Santos Jr., FUMC’s medical director.
SMILE, or “Small Incision Lenticule Extraction,” is a bladeless and minimally invasive technique used to correct vision issues like nearsightedness and astigmatism. It involves using a laser to create a small incision, reducing the risk of complications compared to traditional methods.
FUMC is now training surgeons from countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia who want to learn this cutting-edge procedure. Dr. Santos emphasized the benefits of having a senior surgeon supervise the trainees during surgeries. “We’re able to train foreign surgeons while ensuring strict oversight. This means patients benefit from the expertise of both the trainee and myself,” he explained.
One of the key features of FUMC’s SMILE surgery is its affordability. While SMILE procedures in other countries can be expensive, FUMC offers the treatment for only P99,000, which includes all associated costs.
“Our pricing is about 60% lower than other institutions in Southeast Asia. It’s part of our mission to offer world-class care to Filipinos without putting them in financial distress,” Dr. Santos added.
To ensure long-lasting results, FUMC often combines SMILE with a technique known as corneal cross-linking. This extra step, which takes around 10 minutes, enhances the stability of the surgery over the long term.
“If a patient’s vision changes within a year and requires a touch-up, we won’t charge them again,” Dr. Santos said. “We don’t want to keep charging our patients. If it’s safe to improve their vision further, we’ll do so without any extra cost.”
FUMC is also utilizing some of the latest advancements in eye care. The hospital uses an HD Analyzer to detect minor vision issues and has adopted a laser-assisted method for safer, more accurate cataract surgery. The femtosecond laser in the FLACS (Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery) procedure makes precise incisions and lens fragmentation, leading to better outcomes, especially for patients receiving multifocal or toric intraocular lenses.
Additionally, FUMC is expanding with a new building that will feature advanced training facilities for doctors and nurses. The new training areas will include simulation mannequins designed to mimic real-life medical emergencies, further enhancing the hospital’s educational capabilities.
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