Bulacan Eye Center now offers Optical Coherence Tomography
CITY OF MALOLOS – The Bulacan Medical Center’s Eye Center is the only eye center in the province that offers Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a non-invasive imaging test and is often referred to as a ‘3D Eye Scan’, for free.
The OCT is useful in diagnosing many eye conditions including macular hole, macular pucker, macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, central serous retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy and vitreous traction. The OCT exam helps ophthalmologists see changes in the fibers of the optic nerve.
According to Dr. Joseph E. Ramos, ophthalmologist in BMC, there is one OCT currently being used for patients in need of the said eye exam.
“Sa ngayon meron na tayong anim na bagong instrumento kasama na ang YAG Laser, 532 Argon Laser, Fundus Camera, Optical Coherence Tomogram, Automated Perimeter at Operating Microscopes. Dahil dito, mas maraming karamdaman ang magagamot, hindi na kailangang ipadala sa malayong ospital ang mga pasyente at dito walang babayaran,” Dr. Ramos said.
Dr. Ramos also said that a patient can save more than P4,000 for the OCT scan alone and that the eye center offers more including cataract surgeries and provision of free eye glasses among others.
Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado is very proud of the improvements at the BMC and at the Eye Center and acknowledges its attempt to continuously strive for excellence in giving quality health services to Bulakenyos.
“Mahirap magkasakit pero kung alam mo na pwede kang gumaling kahit kapos sa bulsa mas gumagaan ang pakiramdam, kaya sinisigurado natin na kumpleto ang mga kagamitan, pasilidad at serbisyo na makukuha ng mga Bulakenyo sa ospital na para at dahil sa kanila,” Alvarado said.
Dionilo Gutijer, a resident from Sagrada, Hagonoy, said that he underwent a successful cataract surgery and is now having his follow up checkup without spending a dime.
“Malaking bagay ito kasi wala akong binayaran, eh magkano ‘yon sa private? ‘Yung perang natipid ko, magagamit ko pa para sa pamilya ko,” Gutijer said.
Dr. Protacio Bajao, director of BMC, said that the BMC also has Oncology Unit for cancer patients, Dialysis Unit with 40 units of Hemodialysis Machines and it has grown into a 300-bed capacity hospital. The OPD can accommodate up to 500 patients per day and the ER can house up to 20 patients a day.