PhilHealth issues new guidelines to boost quality of eye care services

To improve the quality of eye care services nationwide, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has issued updated clinical guidelines covering Pterygium Excision with Graft and Ocular Surface Reconstructive Surgeries (OSR), procedures used to treat the eye growth locally referred to as “pugita sa mata.”

- By JEL SANTOS

According to research conducted at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), roughly two percent of new eye patients were diagnosed with pterygium, with an average age of 47 and women representing a slight majority at 53 percent.

The study found that almost half had growths in both eyes, and 42 percent were outdoor workers regularly exposed to sunlight and dust.

PhilHealth said most patients sought consultation due to visible eye growth, and doctors recommended surgical removal with conjunctival grafting to prevent recurrence and protect vision.

“Surgery is necessary when it causes vision problems, irritation, and other symptoms,” the state health insurer said.