Nearly 3,000 delegates from 45 countries are convening in Manila as the Philippines hosts the 18th Congress of the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-Retina Society (APVRS), a major international gathering of experts in vision and retinal health organized by the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) and the Vitreo Retina Society of the Philippines (VRSP).

Anchored on the theme “Retina 360: Learning, Application, Transformation, Synergy,” APVRS 2025 will run from Dec. 12 to 14 and is expected to spotlight emerging research, scientific breakthroughs, and collaborative strategies to strengthen vision health policies across Asia-Pacific countries.

This year’s scientific congress brings together retina specialists, researchers, and industry partners in a global forum aimed at advancing new discoveries and innovations in eye health. 

Recent nationwide findings underscore the urgency of these conversations. Based on the Asia Pacific (APAC) Vision Health Survey conducted by GWI and commissioned by Roche (Philippines) Inc., eight out of 10 Filipinos with diabetes experience vision-related symptoms, the highest rate among surveyed countries in the region.

Meanwhile, 89 percent of Filipino respondents living with diabetes reported daily challenges due to vision issues, including difficulties at work, loss of independence, financial strain, and added burdens on family members. 

Global studies from the International Association for the Prevention of Blindness and The Lancet likewise show that vision impairment leads to economic losses, reduced productivity, and psychological and social impacts.

These issues, organizers underscored, reinforce the need for timely diagnosis, wider public awareness, and deeper health-sector collaboration, priorities that align with the agenda of APVRS 2025.

As a leader in pioneering therapies that help prevent vision loss,  global biopharmaceutical leader Roche will take part in discussions on disease control, long-term retinal health, and data-driven approaches to improving patient outcomes.

According to Roche, the Manila hosting provides an opportunity to work closely with clinicians, researchers, and both public and private stakeholders across the region.

“We believe that retina disease management requires a 360-degree approach: from early diagnosis and timely treatment to long-term monitoring and patient support,” Roche (Philippines) Inc. General Manager Dr. Diana Edralin said in a statement.

“At APVRS 2025, we look forward to collaborating with our peers to accelerate advances that translate into meaningful vision outcomes for patients across the Asia-Pacific,” she added.

Edralin noted that the company remains committed to driving innovation and strengthening evidence-based practices in retinal care.

“Our priority is to help patients preserve their sight so they can enjoy meaningful time with their families and maintain a better quality of life,” she said.