The Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists (IPAO) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) are finalizing coverage guidelines for optometric services and free prescription eyeglasses, aiming for completion by the end of November.
This initiative follows a commitment signed by Health secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa and PhilHealth president Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. in response to a budget deliberation by AGRI Partylist Representative Wilbert T. Lee.
House Resolution No. 1623, filed on 5 March 2024, advocates for up to P4,000 in PhilHealth benefits for eye care, highlighting the significant impact of vision issues on many Filipinos. Reports indicate that 90 percent of vision loss is preventable if detected early, with about 16 percent of high school students experiencing refractive errors, primarily myopia.
Dr. Charlie L. Ho, IPAO chairman, emphasized that the program will particularly aid marginalized communities struggling to afford eye care. He noted that many individuals seek help only when vision problems become severe. The IPAO proposes to prioritize school children in the initial rollout, aiming to promote preventive eye care.
Dr. John U. Nakpil, IPAO president, expressed gratitude to legislative and health officials for their commitment to improving access to essential eye care services for the underserved population.
