By Dr. Dianne Chriscille Jane T. Dy

The Neuro-Ophthalmology Society of the Philippines (NOSP), in partnership with Asian Hospital and Medical Center, successfully convened its Basic Course, “Must KNOws – Basics to Clinical Correlation”, at the Asian Hospital & Medical Center Conference Facility on March 22, 2026.

This one-day course drew 207 attendees, including 181 participants from various ophthalmology training institutions and 26 NOSP members. What emerged was not merely a lecture series for consultants in practice but a rigorous, clinically anchored review for ophthalmology and neurology residents-in-training as well. The courses were especially fitting for candidates preparing for the April 2026 Philippine Board of Ophthalmology examinations.

As project head Dr. Buenjim Mariano quoted, “Chance favors the prepared.” That single line captured the spirit of the entire day. The course was crafted with three clear goals—to help board takers sharpen their readiness, to teach residents the fundamentals they would carry into practice, and to update consultants on evolving clinical concepts. And true to form, the NOSP members showed their passion clearly, bringing energy and expertise to every lecture, every Q&A, and every hallway discussion.

The morning sessions focused on the cranial nerves, with Dr. Miriam Louella Fermin-Layador (CN 6), Dr. Maria Karina Montesines (CN 3), and Dr. Aubhugn Labiano (CN 4) laying the foundation. Dr. Janice Ferrer-Bernardo (Ocular Myasthenia Gravis / Miller Fisher Syndrome), Dr. Jian Carlo Narag (Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia, Wall-eyed Bilateral Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia and Half Syndrome), and Dr. Franz Alcala (nystagmus) followed to address complex eye movement disorders. The morning session concluded with lectures on ancillaries and diagnostics – Dr. Karlo Leonides Melendres III, Dr. Youko Sakurai, glaucoma guest lecturer Dr. Hendrik Unson, and Dr. Vina Ballado discussed electrophysiology, neuroimaging, OCT/visual fields, and disc anomalies, respectively.

Subsequently, the afternoon session tackled Diagnoses, Emergencies, and Optic Neuropathies. Dr. Marianne Carabeo discussed Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, followed by Dr. Dianne Chriscille Tan-Dy (yours truly), who presented neuro-ophthalmologic emergencies that should not be missed. Dr. Bryan Vincent Mesina then discussed infectious NO conditions, while Dr. Erwin Palisoc and Dr. Jamie Lynne Narciso lectured on toxic optic neuropathies and abnormal pupils, respectively. The final block featured Dr. Stacey Marie Cohitmingao (Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy vs. Giant Cell Arteritis), Dr. Karen Reyes (Typical optic neuritis), Dr. Franz Marie Cruz (Atypical optic neuritis), and Dr. Buenjim Mariano (biomarkers in optic neuritis).

Sincere thanks to our sponsors—Abbvie, Qure Corp., Santen, and Ophthamed Pharma—and to the organizing committee: Dr. Buenjim Mariano, Dr. Karen Reyes, Dr. Franz Cruz, Dr. Jamie Narciso, Dr. April Dizon, Dr. Lourdes Ang, Dr. Clarissa Tady, and Dr. Jian Carlo Narag. Their collective efforts made this activity possible. 

On a personal note: Sitting through the day’s sessions, I was reminded of why our work matters. Each lecture came back to the same core question: how do we improve patient care and ensure continued management beyond the initial consult? At the heart of every discussion was the patient—their diagnosis, management, follow-up, and quality of life. The NOSP has always stood for clinical excellence, and this course was a testament to that mission. It was, without question, an insightful and enriching event—one that left me not only better equipped but deeply proud to be part of this society.

The Organizing Committee in action