Jea Nicole Jacot

In a move to address the country’s worsening optometrist shortage and expand access to quality eye care, the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila is set to open the first optometry program in a state university.

Photo Courtesy of Cebu Doctors' University.

On June 10, UP Manila formalized its partnership with the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists Inc. (IPAO) and the Asia Optometric Congress (AOC) Academy through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing.

As reflected in the MOU, the university commits to launching a six-year Doctor of Optometry program under a newly established Department of Optometry, located within its College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP).

“The industry has been facing the current shortage of optometrists for a very long time, and we saw that the very issue is that the program of optometry is only offered in private institutions,” said Dr. Charlie Ho, National President of IPAO and Chairman of AOC Academy, during the ceremonial signing.

“We are in a position, in terms of mobilizing our network as well as resources. Sabi namin, kung tutulong tayo, mas mapapabilis pa ‘yung pag-set up. We hope that with this partnership and the willingness of all the stakeholders, malayo po ang mararating natin,” Ho added.

In the partnership agreement, IPAO vows to contribute to curriculum development, faculty training, and the establishment of a vision therapy and rehabilitation clinic at the UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

Meanwhile, the AOC Academy eyes global networking to boost faculty development programs, visiting lecturers, and postgraduate training opportunities.

‘Critical’ shortage of optometrists 

Recent data from the Professional Regulatory Board of Optometry (PRBOO) reveals that only 50.45% of the 12,686 registered optometrists in the country are actively renewing their professional licenses. 

The current optometrist-to-population ratio is 1:18,399, falling significantly short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standard of 1:10,000 for developing nations.
 
Since 2024, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Board of Optometry, and partner organizations have advocated for the inclusion of optometry in the state university curriculum.

Former CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera expressed his support for making optometry a priority course with a scholarship, prompting UP-Manila to pursue the opening of the program.

The Philippines is the lone Southeast Asian country where optometry programs are only offered by private schools.

Optometrists specialize in performing eye exams and vision tests, prescribing corrective lenses, and detecting eye abnormalities.