New hope for patients with vision impairment

Seminar attendees hear of new hope for patients with vision impairment. Photo: Roche Pharma

The global impact of vision loss is profound and escalating. Affecting 2.2 billion individuals worldwide, vision impairment challenges those directly afflicted along with their families and communities. Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal disorders are leading contributors to this growing public health concern.

Vision loss can severely affect individuals physically, emotionally, and economically. Those living with impaired vision face heightened risks of physical injuries, social isolation, and chronic health issues like depression. In 2020, the global economy lost an estimated $411 billion in productivity due to reduced employment among people with vision impairment. In Vietnam, approximately two million individuals are impacted by vision impairment.

Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) and Diabetic macular edema (DME) affect nearly 50 million people worldwide and are significant causes of vision loss. As the global population ages and diabetes prevalence rises, these conditions will increasingly affect more individuals worldwide.

Vietnam faces mounting pressure to enhance ophthalmology treatments due to rising diabetes rates and an ageing population. In 2021, the Ministry of Health reported over 4.5 million diabetic patients in Vietnam, with about 7 per cent potentially suffering from DME. The country ranks among the top 10 globally for rapidly increasing diabetes rates. Additionally, the data by the United Nations Population Fund from 2019 indicates that almost 12 per cent of Vietnam's population is elderly–a figure projected to reach 25 per cent by 2050–with a significant portion affected by nAMD.

At the seminar, Le Anh Tuan, director of Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital said, "We administer over 3,000 anti-VEGF injections monthly, giving us a unique insight into the burden placed not on patients and their families. We have found there is an urgent need to develop new therapies that can decrease the frequency of injections while enhancing the effectiveness of vision treatment for patients."

Le Anh Tuan, director, Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital. Photo: Roche Pharma

Lennor Carrillo, general director of Roche Pharma Vietnam, said, "Roche is committed to working alongside physicians, advocates, regulatory bodies, governments, and healthcare systems to create customised solutions that bring new hope to those facing vision-threatening conditions."

Lennor Carrillo, general director, Roche Pharma Vietnam. Photo: Roche Pharma

Ton Thi Kim Thanh, president of Vietnam Ophthalmology Association said, "We have listened to detailed scientific reports and witnessed a lively discussion filled with numerous questions, reflecting profound interest. We believe this product will decrease the number of hospital visits by reducing the need for frequent injections, thereby easing the workload on our doctors. We are hopeful that this new therapy will enhance treatment efficiency for both patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers."

Ton Thi Kim Thanh, president, Vietnam Ophthalmology Association. Photo: Roche Pharma

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