16/09/2025
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๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐๐๐จ๐ง: ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ซ. ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ
Our eyes are often called the โwindows to the soul.โ They allow us to experience the beauty of the world, connect with people, and live our daily lives with color and with ease. But what if those windows suddenly turned cloudy, and the world faded into a blur? For many years, cataracts left countless people in the darkness. It was a Filipino doctor, Dr. Geminiano T. de Ocampo, who dedicated his life to giving them back the gift of sight.
Born on September 16, 1907, in Malolos, Bulacan, Dr. de Ocampo showed early signs of brilliance and discipline. As a student, he excelled in his studies and graduated as valedictorian of Bulacan High School in 1926, now known as Marcelo H. del Pilar National High School. Little did he know that this early academic success marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of excellence and service.
After finishing high school, Dr. de Ocampo pursued medicine at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, where he discovered his passion for ophthalmology. From then on, he devoted his life to advancing eye care in the Philippines.
Dr. de Ocampo made groundbreaking contributions to the field of eye care by introducing corneal transplantation in the country, offering new hope to patients who once faced a lifetime of blindness. He also invented the โDe Ocampoโ corneal dissector, a surgical instrument, manufactured by Storz & Co., USA, to carefully separate the layers of the cornea during transplantation.
His vision extended beyond surgery and invention. In 1950, he conceived and established the Philippine Eye Bank, which helped patients by providing corneal tissues for transplantation. Then, two years later, in 1952, he founded the De Ocampo Eye Hospital, the first eye hospital of the country. Years later, in 1958, he was the founder and became the first president of the Philippine Ophthalmological Society.
Because of his remarkable contributions to medicine, he introduced corneal transplantation, invented surgical instruments, established institutions, and led the growth of ophthalmology in the country. He was named a National Scientist of the Philippines in 1982.
Dr. de Ocampo passed away in 1987, but his legacy continues to shine as the Father of Modern Ophthalmology in every eye hospital, every corneal transplant, and every Filipino whose vision was restored. He is remembered not only as a brilliant doctor but as a visionary who believed that science should serve the people. His lifeโs work remains a clear vision for future generations, proving that knowledge fused with compassion has the power to change lives.
Article by Mikaela Dela Cruz (12 STEM M)
Graphics and Layout by Edrich Bautista (12 HUMSS B)
