Are you experiencing blurry vision or inflammation in your eyes? It is possible to develop one of the most common eye diseases in the Philippines, such as refractive errors, cataract, glaucoma, conjunctivitis, and macular degeneration. According to a 2023 report by the Philippine Blind Union, the country has approximately 592,000 blind and 2,179,733 individuals with low vision and other vision diseases. Professional ophthalmology clinics offer various diagnostic and surgical procedures to help you identify and heal from vision problems. 

Vision diseases can be caused by a number of factors and manifest in various forms. This brief guide summarizes the conditions that you must treat before it worsens your vision.

7 Top Vision Diseases in the Philippines You Must Know

1. Refractive Errors

If you need to wear prescription glasses or contact lenses due to refractive errors, you are experiencing one of the most prevalent eye problems. Refractive errors happen when the shape of the cornea is altered. It could also be caused by irregularly-shaped eyeballs or loss of flexibility in your lens. 

This manifests in three ways: 

• Myopia (Nearsightedness) – Objects nearer to you appear clear while faraway objects become blurry. 
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness) – Distant objects are clearer, yet it is hard to focus your eyesight on things near you. 
• Astigmatism – You experience distorted or blurry vision in all distances. Many patients report ‘starburst’-like lights during nighttime. 

These vision diseases can be treated depending on the degree of refractive error. Very mild blurred vision can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, but severe cases may require laser surgery.

LASIK eye surgery in the Philippines is one of the best options for correcting varying degrees of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. If you qualify as a good candidate, you will be given a customized plan for correcting your eyesight. It is a quick, painless process that gives you clearer, sharper vision, as well as freedom from glasses.

2. Cataract

Cataract is among the most prevalent vision diseases in the country. The Fred Hollows Foundation reported about 62% of Filipinos suffer from cataract. It affects people aged 60 years old and above, as well as individuals diagnosed with diabetes. Cataracts start from progressive vision blurring and develop into severe cases where the lens turns opaque. The surgical process used to treat it is called phacoemulsification, after which the blurry lenses are replaced with an artificial one through intraocular implantation. 

3. Glaucoma

People who suffer from glaucoma suffer from damage to the optic nerve, which is caused by intense pressure on the eyeball. It is one of the vision diseases that may have no symptoms until it reaches a severe degree. People over the age of 60 are more susceptible to developing glaucoma. Various glaucoma treatments range from prescription eye drops, laser therapy, and drainage surgery. If left untreated, this can escalate to blindness or loss of vision.

4. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, or more commonly known as sore eyes or pink eye, is one of the contagious vision diseases. It affects the thin, clear tissue that covers the whites of your eye and lines your eyelid. It causes inflammation to the blood vessels, making them appear reddish and more visible. It can be viral (heals within 1-2 weeks without treatment), bacterial (treated with antibiotic drops or ointment), or allergic (treated with antihistamine eye drops).

5. Diabetic Retinopathy

In 2024, the Department of Health (DOH) revealed that over 656,000 Filipinos were diagnosed with diabetes, yet many remain undiagnosed and untreated. They are at risk of vision diseases like diabetic retinopathy. It is when the blood vessels in the eye swell, leak, or close due to high blood sugar levels. It is one of the most common eye diseases in the Philippines. Advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy should be treated through anti-VEGF or intravitreal injections, laser photocoagulation, or through para plana vitrectomy. 

6. Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment happens when the fine layer of tissue at the back of your eye shifts from its normal position. Symptoms of retinal detachment include floaters, light flashes (photopsias), blurry vision, or shadow-like obstruction to your vision. Although it is painless, the longer it is left untreated, the worse your eyesight becomes. Surgical solutions like a vitrectomy, pneumatic retinopexy, or a scleral buckle can be done to reattach the retina.

7. Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the common eye diseases in the Philippines, particularly for people over 60 years old. It affects the central vision, causing objects directly in front of you to appear blurry, while the peripheral vision remains intact. It can manifest in dry (yellow protein deposits under the macula) or wet form (development of abnormal blood vessels that leak fluids). 

The best way to avoid vision diseases is to observe a healthy lifestyle and regularly consult with your eye doctor. Be sure to explore eye clinics near you that offer advanced, painless solutions for refractive errors and other eye issues, such as LASIK eye surgery, PRK, and ICL treatments, so that you can fix your blurry eyesight as early as possible.

ALSO READ: 7 Reasons Why You Should Undergo Regular Eye Exams

AsPac Eye Laser and Surgicenter is a dependable eye clinic in Laguna, bringing you state-of-the-art eye care. We are committed to delivering patient-centered services. Our specialized diagnostic services and LASIK eye surgery are done by licensed, professional ophthalmologists to bring clarity to your vision. If you want to know more about our diagnostic and laser eye treatments, you can send us an inquiry or book your appointment today.