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MANILA, Philippines — At the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) Annual Convention 2026, Dr. Lee Tomas Tan presented Project Tapat (Tamang Patak), a high-impact public health campaign aimed at eliminating dangerous, unregulated “cure-all” eye drops across the country.
Delivered during the Leadership Development Program (LDP) Session on Day 0 of the convention, Dr. Tan’s initiative addresses the growing vision hazards posed by non-prescription, misleadingly advertised ocular products. Project Tapat—translating to “Tamang Patak”—advocates for proper ocular medication, patient education, and strict adherence to evidence-based vision care.
A Multi-Sectoral Coalition
To ensure sustainable regulatory enforcement and nationwide clinical impact, Dr. Tan is spearheading a multi-sectoral coalition uniting key government and professional medical bodies:
- Department of Health (DOH): Integrating eye safety awareness into primary care and national health channels.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Strengthening monitoring, reporting, and regulatory enforcement against illegal, misbranded, and unverified eye drops.
- PAO Bicol Chapter: Leading grassroots implementation, regional monitoring, and localized community outreach.
- PAO Young Ophthalmologists (YO): Mobilizing early-career eye specialists to drive digital advocacy, public education, and peer engagement.
“Unregulated eye drops present a silent yet severe threat to public vision health,” stated Dr. Tan. “Through Project Tapat, our goal is to empower patients with accurate information while enforcing strict safety standards alongside our government and institutional partners so every Filipino receives safe, proper eye care.”
About the Leadership Development Program (LDP)
The PAO Leadership Development Program equips mid-career and emerging ophthalmologists with strategic skills to spearhead meaningful healthcare policies, community health initiatives, and clinical innovations across the Philippines.
