More than eight out of 10 Filipinos with diabetes, or 84.6 percent, experience vision-related problems, the highest rate among eight Asia Pacific (APAC) countries surveyed, according to a recent study.
The Asia Pacific (APAC) Vision Health Survey, conducted by GWI and commissioned by pharmaceutical company Roche (Philippines) Inc., found that 89 percent of Filipino respondents living with diabetes face daily challenges due to their vision issues.
The most common symptoms reported include blurred vision (66.8 percent), difficulty reading or recognizing faces (39.9 percent), and floaters or dark spots (38.3 percent).
These vision problems lead to significant challenges, such as financial impact (41 percent), loss of independence (39 percent), mental health issues (38 percent), and impact on family and friends (21 percent). A majority of respondents (68 percent) worry about limitations in performing basic daily tasks, while 46 percent are concerned about maintaining their employment.
The International Association for the Prevention of Blindness and The Lancet highlight the broader economic implications of vision impairment, including decreased productivity, absenteeism, job losses, and additional financial, social, and psychological burdens.
“The APAC Vision Health Survey offers a timely and comprehensive snapshot of eye care across the world’s largest demographic region,” said Dr. Harvey Uy, medical director of the Peregrine Eye and Laser Institute in Makati City.
“It highlights real-world challenges in both preventive and therapeutic care, while outlining practical pathways to improve access and awareness,” he said.
Uy said the report is particularly meaningful for efforts to expand access to quality eye care in remote and underserved communities, serving as a valuable reference for healthcare stakeholders.
Dr. Diana Edralin, general manager of Roche (Philippines) Inc., urged the government to prioritize vision health, advocating for health programs that ensure timely diagnosis of vision diseases for all Filipinos.
“Too often, vision problems are ignored—until it’s too late,” Edralin said.
“Behind every missed diagnosis is a child struggling to learn, a parent losing their independence, or a worker unable to provide for their family. Ensuring every Filipino has access to quality eye care isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a matter of dignity, opportunity, and our shared future,” she said.
Edralin said that waiting too long has significant costs, both financially and in people’s quality of life. She emphasized the need for “bold, innovative ways to bridge the gap between awareness and action.”
Roche (Philippines) Inc. is ready to collaborate with government and other healthcare stakeholders in the region to support sustainable solutions addressing the increasing burden of vision impairment. “When vision health is recognized as a core component of healthcare systems, everyone benefits—patients, families, and society,” Edralin said.
