Novartis, SLMC forge tie-up on eye diseases

MANILA, Philippines - Novartis Healthcare Philippines and the Eye Institute of St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of blindness-causing eye diseases.

“The Eye Institute, which is renowned for its world-class eye specialists and cutting-edge technology, is pleased to partner anew with global eye care leader Novartis, in addressing the eye care needs of Filipino patients,” said Dr. Edgardo Cortez, SLMC president and CEO.

“Our partnership with the SLMC Eye Institute is in line with our company’s commitment to enhance eye care in the country and promote Filipino patients’ access to effective eye treatments,” said Thomas Weigold, country president and managing director of Novartis Healthcare Philippines.

Top officials of the SLMC Eye Institute and Novartis Healthcare Philippines signed the MOA during a media briefing entitled â€œBlindness, the invisible threat — How can we respond?” last Tuesday at the F1 Hotel Manila in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.

Under the MOA, Novartis Healthcare Philippines will provide free Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to a total of 360 qualified patients of the Eye Institute (180 patients each in SLMC Quezon City and Global City) from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 this year, or approximately one patient per day for the whole year.

To qualify in the Patient Assistance Program for OCT Testing, the patient should be currently on the Novartis medication Ranibizumab.

Ranibizumab is indicated for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD); visual impairment due to diabetic macular edema (DME); and macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

“OCT is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of your retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. It enables the ophthalmologist to map and measure the thickness of each of the retina’s distinctive layers. These measurements help with the early detection, diagnosis and treatment guidance for retinal conditions and diseases,” said Dr. Noel Chua, head of the SLMC Global City’s Eye Institute.

“OCT is an invaluable tool in diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of, among others, AMD and diabetic eye disease, which includes diabetic retinopathy and DME, which can lead to visual impairment and blindness,” said, Dr. Ruben Lim Bon Siong, head of SLMC Quezon City’s Eye Institute.

Established in 1987, the SLMC Eye Institute is a leader in the visual sciences, delivering services spanning the broad spectrum of ophthalmic care.

These services include comprehensive eye care; cataract surgery; cornea and external disease; glaucoma; Lasik/refractive surgery; neuro-ophthalmology; oculofacial, plastic and orbital surgery; oncology and ocular tumors; pediatric ophthamology and adult strabismus; retina/vitreous surgery; uveitis; and visual rehabilitation.