Open your eyes to the world of eye health in the Philippines, where millions of Filipinos grapple with the silent challenges of visual impairment. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department of Health estimated that more than four million Filipinos were unaware of their existing eye conditions. The struggle for clarity becomes a daily battle driven by a complex interplay of aging, lifestyle choices, and systemic barriers that limit access to eye care services in the country.
An eye for an eye
Eye problems often manifest through five telltale signs: blurry vision, eye itchiness, redness, pain, and trauma. Victor Arni Sicam, director of the Philippine Eye Research Institute, says that one culprit behind these issues is dry eye disease (DED) or dry eye syndrome. It is a condition rooted in the disruption of the eye’s natural protective layer. This problem can stem from a lack of tear production, increased tear evaporation due to clogged eyelids, and damage to the corneal surface epithelium—a vital barrier in the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye.
Recent studies on the prevalence of DED in the country are scarce. However, a notable study conducted between 2019 and 2022 in Baguio City revealed a concerning 41-percent prevalence rate. The director states that DED is more common for younger and older people, with women being particularly vulnerable due to hormonal fluctuations. Factors such as taking birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause may also lead to reduced eye moisture. It has been reported that eight out of 10 menopausal women have been found to suffer from the disease.
Meanwhile, children are at risk of developing myopia or nearsightedness, which can be caused by excessive exposure to bright sunlight or poor lighting conditions while reading. “You may [already have] the condition, and then you are triggered by this environmental factor,” Sicam explains, clarifying that eye problems often result from a combination of environmental and biological factors. He references the World Health Organization’s recommendation for children under 12 to spend at least three hours a day in well-lit environments to support healthy vision.
Another growing concern is digital eye strain from the prolonged use of smartphones, tablets, and computers. The same Baguio study found that screen time before bed contributes to sleep deprivation and the onset of dry eye symptoms. To combat this, Sicam recommends that people incorporate the 20-20-20 rule into their routine. After 20 minutes of using a gadget, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This practice helps relax eye muscles, reduce eye fatigue, and mitigate digital eye strain.
Beyond the sightlines
When it comes to routine eye check-ups, Sicam clarifies that there is no universal guideline on the frequency. However, adults above 40 years old and those with declining eye health should have their eyes examined regularly to prevent the risk of worsening their condition. He singles out glaucoma—a condition that progressively damages the optic nerve—as a disease whose effects remain unnoticeable until a person’s vision deteriorates or becomes blind.
Yet, even if many Filipinos seek treatment, accessing eye care remains a significant hurdle. In a developing country like the Philippines, diagnostic facilities for DED are often inadequate, leading to a reliance on symptom-based diagnoses that lack the precision of instrument-based diagnostics. The shortage of eye care professionals in rural areas exacerbates this issue. “If there are cases of eye infections, it cannot be treated right away,” he remarks.
To address this gap, institutions like PERI have collaborated with the DOH and the Department of Education to launch the National Vision Speeding Program, a flagship program passed into law in 2019. This initiative mandates annual vision screening for all elementary and kindergarten students across the country. Personnel trained by PERI will conduct visual screenings for children, which take approximately 10 to 15 minutes per child, to assess for conditions like refractive errors and strabismus.
Children identified with eye problems will be seated at the front of the classroom. This helps them become more interactive during lessons as a result. The program aims to train around 40,000 individuals over the next five years, so that public schools nationwide will be covered. These trained personnel, often community health workers, serve as liaisons between rural patients and urban eye care professionals. However, this initiative is still a short-term solution to the growing challenges of eye care in the country. The next step is to develop a referral system for diagnosed children to ophthalmologists—a process that is still in the planning stages.
Despite these efforts, accessibility and affordability of eye care shows room for improvement. Future initiatives must focus on creating sustainable solutions that not only improve access but also educate the public on the importance of regular eye check-ups. An article from the Philippine Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that developing low-cost medications and subsidized treatment programs can address these challenges. Moreover, increasing public awareness and continuing to push for better healthcare policies are key to reducing preventable
blindness and improving overall eye health in the Philippines.
This article was published in The LaSallian‘s January 2025 issue. To read more, visit bit.ly/TLSJanuary2025.
