Laser eye surgery pioneer Prof. Dan Reinstein marks a milestone at St. Luke’s–Global City Vision Laser Center by performing an advanced PRESBYOND procedure.

TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES — St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) has taken another significant step in visual science and refractive care with the official launch of the Visumax 800 femtosecond laser system at the Vision Laser Center (VLC) in St. Luke’s–Global City.
The arrival of this next-generation laser technology reinforces St. Luke’s commitment to providing world-class, precise, and patient-centered eye care to Filipinos. With ultra-fast laser speed and enhanced automated centering, the Visumax 800 reduces laser treatment time to just seconds per eye—significantly minimizing patient anxiety and maximizing surgical accuracy during refractive procedures. 

Global Pioneer Marks Landmark Launch

To mark this technological milestone, world-renowned refractive surgeon and laser eye surgery pioneer Prof. Dan Reinstein visited the Vision Laser Center at St. Luke’s–Global City. Prof. Reinstein is widely recognized for inventing the PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision technique—a groundbreaking approach that transformed how ophthalmologists treat presbyopia (age-related reading difficulty). As a key clinical pioneer in the development of modern laser eye surgery, his contributions have enabled patients worldwide to achieve visual independence without relying on reading glasses.

During his visit to St. Luke's, Prof. Reinstein demonstrated the full capabilities of the new Visumax 800 platform by performing a live PRESBYOND procedure, bringing this gold-standard treatment directly to Filipino patients.

Clear, Comfortable Vision 

PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision is a specialized, tailored laser procedure designed for individuals with presbyopia—the natural loss of the eye's ability to focus on close objects, which typically requires reading glasses.

Unlike traditional monovision, which can compromise depth perception, PRESBYOND subtly adjusts each eye: one eye is corrected for distance and intermediate vision, and the other for intermediate and near vision, creating a blend zone. The brain effortlessly blends the two images, creating a seamless range of clear vision—from reading fine print on a smartphone to seeing clearly across a room—without the hassle of reading glasses. 

"The acquisition of the Visumax 800 reflects our steadfast dedication to bringing globally benchmarked innovations right here to the Philippines," says Dr. Irwin Cua, Head of the Vision Laser Center at St. Luke’s – Global City. "With significantly faster laser delivery and refined precision, this technology elevates patient comfort to a new level. Our patients can now undergo sight-restoring procedures in mere seconds, experiencing virtually painless treatments, faster recovery, and peace of mind knowing their vision is in expert hands."

Comprehensive Refractive Care at St. Luke’s Vision Laser Center

Equipped with cutting-edge technology and staffed by internationally trained, board-certified refractive surgeons, the Vision Laser Center offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions tailored to individual ocular needs. St. Luke’s refractive surgeons have been performing these procedures for almost a decade, and the arrival of new technologies, such as the Visumax800, further improves visual outcomes and safety for patients.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK): A gentle, flapless surface treatment designed for patients with thinner corneas, high physical activity levels, or specific ocular profiles. PRK gently reshapes the outer surface of the eye, offering a safe path to clear vision when traditional flap-based procedures may not be ideal.

• Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK): A high-precision procedure that uses advanced lasers to create a microscopic corneal flap, allowing the surgeon to gently reshape the tissue underneath. LASIK is known for its quick visual recovery, helping patients get back to their daily routine with sharp, clear sight.
• LASIK with PRESBYOND: A customized laser correction designed specifically for adults over 40 experiencing presbyopia—the natural, age-related difficulty in reading close text. By combining LASIK precision with tailored optical blending, this treatment optimizes each eye to create a continuous, natural field of vision from close-up to far away, significantly reducing reliance on reading glasses.
• SMILE Pro: A flapless, keyhole procedure that creates and removes a thin tissue layer inside the cornea in less than 10 seconds per eye. Designed to correct nearsightedness and astigmatism, it offers faster treatment times, minimal disruption to the eye's natural structure, and reduced risk of dry eye symptoms.

Whether addressing nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or age-related reading difficulties, St. Luke's VLC ensures that every patient undergoes thorough pre-surgery screenings to determine the safest and most effective procedure for their lifestyle. 

For inquiries, visit the St. Luke's-Global City Vision Laser Center 2nd Floor, Main Hospital Building or call (+63 2) 8789-7700 local 2020/ 2024. You may also contact the St. Luke's Product Information Hub at (+63 2) 8789-7700 ext. 5104, or call the mobile numbers 0947-9930471, 0939-9161805, 0928-5200239, and 0998-5822276. For more information, visit the St. Luke's Medical Center website at www.stlukes.com.ph