PhilHealth is expanding its coverage to include eye checkups and prescription glasses starting November 2024.
This is part of their ongoing efforts to improve healthcare accessibility, particularly for children at risk of developing eye problems.
The announcement was made during a Senate hearing, emphasizing the need for better access to vision care, as shared in a report by the Inquirer.
Details from Senate Hearing
During the Senate session, PhilHealth Executive Vice President Eli Dino Santos confirmed the new benefit.
This came after Senator Christopher “Bong” Go raised the possibility of providing free eyeglasses to address the growing issue of eye problems among children.
Santos responded positively: “As part of the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in the healthcare delivery system? Yes.”
He added that PhilHealth had already committed to including prescription glasses in its coverage by November 2024.
This will be a key development in PhilHealth’s growing healthcare package, focused on preventive care.
Support from Optometrists
The Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists (IPAO) expressed its support for the inclusion of eye care in PhilHealth’s benefits.
In a statement, IPAO cited a 2018 Philippine Eye Disease Study, which found that nearly 2 percent of the population suffers from vision impairment or blindness.
This includes 1.11 million Filipinos with cataracts, 400,000 with uncorrected vision issues, 300,000 with glaucoma, and 200,000 with maculopathy or diabetic retinopathy.
Dr. Charlie Ho, chairman of IPAO, emphasized the importance of early detection.
“Preventive eye care, including the coverage of optometric services and eyeglasses, will help identify and address vision issues in children before they worsen,” Dr. Ho explained.
Addressing Vision Impairment
The timing of this announcement is impeccable.
In many parts of the country, access to eye care remains limited, and untreated vision problems can lead to lifelong impairment.
Early intervention is key to preventing conditions like nearsightedness, cataracts, and glaucoma from escalating into more severe issues.
“Many eye conditions are preventable if detected early, but access to primary eye care from optometrists is lacking for many Filipinos,” Dr. Ho added.
This new PhilHealth benefit aims to bridge that gap, giving more Filipinos the opportunity to receive the eye care they need.
Call to Action
Senator Go urged PhilHealth to work closely with IPAO and the Department of Health (DOH) to make this benefit widely available.
The collaboration is expected to help streamline the implementation and extend vision care services to underserved areas.
By working together, the government and healthcare providers hope to reach millions of Filipinos who have been without proper eye care for too long.
Conclusion
With November just around the corner, PhilHealth’s expanded coverage promises to improve access to essential eye care.
This move marks a major step in enhancing healthcare for all Filipinos, especially children who need it most.
For many, this will mean clearer vision and a better quality of life.
PhilHealth’s commitment to eye health is a welcome addition to its services, and one that will benefit millions of Filipinos in the years to come.