CONTROLLING MYOPIA:
THE DANGERS OF INTERNET ADVISE AND SELF-DIAGNOSING
By HJArago, Lipa City, Batangas, 11/19/2025
The Filipino family due to many economic factors are at a cross-roads: "Do I go to a doctor or do I turn to the internet for free medical advise?"
Sadly, a large percentage of Pinoy families visit online communities asking for expert medical consultations...from non-doctors but well-meaning members.
The result, greater harm, confusion, higher cost and complications to the family.
All because they wanted to save a little.
Consider one of our patients, Ramona (not her real name), female, 35 years old, mom of three, suffering from persistent headache. She was advised by one of her online friends that she just needed to buy the food supplement she's selling online to cure her headache. So she bought the food supplement and spent several thousand pesos. After months of taking her food supplement her headache grew worse and worse.
She has lost significant number of days at work and has missed important family gatherings because of this.
At one point, she recalled:
"I was nauseaous for days and could not get out of my bed.
My husband had to skip work just to take care of me.
My children would skip school so they can help their father take care of me.
I really felt bad about myself for being a burden to my family.
Taking care of them was my job."
She continued to add:
"My husband searched the internet for a family eye clinic in Batangas and Lipa City suspecting that my headache would have something to do with my eyes.
I have never visited an eye doctor.
Fortunately, we were pointed to Family Vision Care in Lipa City.
(source: Family Vision Care)
My husband immediately booked for my doctor's appointment.
Good thing they have Facebook and messenger!
We were delightfully surprised because they responded instantly!
My husband explained to them how I was doing.
I was not doing well.
We were expecting that we will be having our doctor's appointment in the next few days but they told us that the doctor has pushed the other appointments later for the day and has prioritized me...on the same day that we messaged them!
The doctor understood that I was not really feeling good.
The doctor was very kind and accommodating.
She was very beautiful too!"
After patient Ramona's examinations and consultations, the doctor advised her that she needs to have her very first prescription lenses. Fortunately, the doctor did not find any other complications on her eyes.
"Doc M really took her time with me and asked me about my lifestyle, my family, my work, hobbies, interests and my diet too.
It's as if we were members of her family.
I felt she was my sister who was concerned about me.
I could feel her care from her words and assurances as she gave me thorough eye exam.
I was excited because at long last I will have my very own first set of eyeglasses.",
Ramona said, "they had so many stylish and beautiful frames to choose from."
Her prescription eyeglasses were then processed in their laboratory that very same hour.
"It took me just a couple of minutes with their guidance on how to get used to with my new prescription lenses.
They taught me how to use them.
I really felt good and beautiful!
My headache disappeared without a trace and we're now all happy!
My entire family now goes to Family Vision Care for our regular check-ups."
(source: Family Vision Care)
It is important that the family sees only the professionals for their medical advise and consultation.
(source: Family Vision Care)
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