Outstanding optometrist sets vision for optometry

This year George Optical’s president and CEO, Dr. Geoffrey N. Co, was chosen by the Philippine Regulation Commission as the 2012 Outstanding Professional of the Year Award in the optometry field.

The citation is given to a local professional who has proven leadership qualities while exercising professional competence and experience through up-to-date knowledge in the profession with impeccable integrity and a strong commitment to promote and maintain the highest professional standards of the industry.

Dr. Co received his Optometry degree in the United Kingdom with highest distinction. He trained at the prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. In 1996, he topped the Philippine Optometry board exams. He is currently the only Filipino optometrist who is licensed to practice optometry in the UK, Australia and Philippines.

Dr. Co relates his observations while practicing abroad: “You see in other countries, optometrist is synonymous to primary eye care. That is, optometrists, aside from measuring the eye prescription and prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses, will also screen you for eye diseases and if needed, will subsequently refer you to an ophthalmologist for further treatment to help maintain the health of your eyes.

“This is the practice that we, at George Optical, have been doing. It takes great diligence to achieve and sustain since it requires us to invest heavily on instrumentation to serve our customers well without compromising patient care. This has been one of our guiding core values in order to strike a balance profit and professionalism,” he said.

Today, Dr. Co, as head of professional services, constantly shares this knowledge to every optometrist of George Optical. Only the highest standard of optometric practice is conducted to all of its clinics. “The best part is, at the end of this journey, the real winners are the Filipinos who will be able to get access to world-class eye care,” he said.