Thailand to enter super aged society era: Roche survey reveals 1 in 5 middle-aged and elderly Thais neglect eye examinations – highest rate in Asia-Pacific; vision abnormalities increase risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration

Bangkok – 25th April 2025 – Thailand faces significant challenges as it enters an ageing society. According to the National Statistical Office of Thailand, the elderly accounted for 20.70% of the total population in 20241, with projections indicating that by 2033, the proportion of the elderly will surpass 30%2, transforming Thailand into a "Super Aged Society" – defined as a society where more than 28% of the population is over 60 years old or more than 20% is over 65. This demographic shift presents economic, welfare, and health challenges associated with age-related deterioration.

Roche, a world-leading biotechnology company, conducted the Asia-Pacific Vision Health Survey 2024, which found that nearly one in five middle-aged and elderly have never visited an ophthalmologist for eye check-ups. Thailand ranks highest in neglecting eye health examinations among surveyed Asia-Pacific countries, which included Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. The data indicates that more than 93% of Thai respondents perceive vision loss as a typical aspect of ageing.3

Eyes: A Key to Quality of Life for the Elderly

Eye health is a critical issue threatening the quality of life of the elderly. The Department of Health Service Support revealed screening results of 7 million elderly across 12 health zones, identifying vision problems as the most common health deterioration.4

Ms Kobkul Kwangsuan, Specialist in Elderly Affairs at the Department of Older Persons, stated that the situation of Thailand's elderly population has changed dramatically from the past to the present. Elderly people now face eye health problems that affect their quality of life, impacting both physical and mental health. Older people's healthcare expenses increase with age, making regular eye examinations particularly important, as eyes are vital organs for daily life. Declining vision affects not only the overall health of the elderly themselves but also impacts their families.

The Roche survey revealed that while approximately three-fourths of Thai respondents acknowledge the risk of vision loss in old age, only 50% of those over 60 have regular eye examinations.3  This data reflects a gap between knowledge and action, a challenge the government is actively working to overcome.

"Elderly people with families and carers typically have better access to eye healthcare, but vulnerable groups may face challenges in accessing examinations and treatment. The Department of Older Persons therefore encourages elderly people with vision problems to seek timely examinations to prevent complications and maintain good quality of life," said Ms Kobkul.

"The Department of Older Persons has promoted various activities, such as supporting the establishment of nearly 30,000 elderly clubs nationwide and over 3,000 elderly schools. These provide knowledge and promote various skills, including information on welfare rights, inheritance law, welfare benefits, and recreational activities, allowing older people to engage in activities suited to their interests. Additionally, we emphasise empowering the elderly to remain active, lead normal lives, continue working, and reduce dependency on their children and grandchildren," Ms Kobkul added.

Eye Health of the Elderly: An Issue Not to Be Overlooked

Professor Paradee Kunavisarut, M.D., Retina specialist at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, revealed that according to Department of Elderly Affairs data, the four most common eye diseases among Thai elderly are cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma.5 More than 54% of Thai respondents have vision problems,6 a trend reflected in the hospital's patient statistics. The elderly often consider abnormal vision symptoms as a natural aspect of aging, when in fact these symptoms may signal serious eye diseases. Without timely examination and treatment, these conditions can lead to permanent vision loss.

One of the common and serious eye conditions in the elderly is neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This disease occurs due to the formation of abnormal blood vessels beneath the retina, which can leak or rupture, causing fluid or blood accumulation that rapidly deteriorates vision. For the elderly, it is crucial to seek immediate consultation with an ophthalmologist if they experience symptoms like blurred vision or floating black spots. Delay in treatment can result in permanent vision loss. Currently, there are several treatment options available: 1. Laser therapy, which can slow the disease progression although it does not significantly improve vision; 2. Intravitreal injections, most of which work through a single mechanism to reduce blood vessel growth in the retina. These can improve vision but  they require frequent injections (though newer innovations now target two main disease mechanisms with longer-lasting effects); 3. Surgery is an option for cases involving vascular membrane or retinal detachment. Choosing the right treatment relies on the individual patient's retinal degeneration condition, making it essential to consult with an ophthalmologist for appropriate care and treatment.

"The elderly often misunderstand that the abnormal vision symptoms are a normal part of aging or simply a result of eye strain. This misunderstanding can lead to ignoring examinations and treatments. These symptoms can contribute to serious health problems such as difficulties with eating, increasing risk of falls, and even becoming bedridden. Annual eye examinations or immediate medical consultation when unusual symptoms arise can help diagnose and treat eye diseases early on, resulting in effective treatment and prevention of permanent vision loss."

"The elderly should make regular eye check-ups a priority and to promptly consult an ophthalmologist when experiencing vision abnormalities, particularly for diabetic retinopathy and other common eye diseases. Early diagnosis can pave the way for timely treatment, which may effectively cure certain eye issues," Professor Dr Paradee added.

Roche Collaborates with Partners to Care for the Elderly Eye Health, Enhancing Thai Society's Quality of Life

Mr Matthew Coates, General Manager of Roche Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, stated that Thailand ranks second in the ASEAN region, after Singapore, for the proportion of elderly individuals relative to its total population. The survey indicates that if they develop vision problems, more than half of Thai respondents (57.8%)  are concerned about their mental health issues – a figure that stands highest in the Asia-Pacific. Another 42.4% fear that their quality of life will decline.3 These concerns not only undermine mental health but also lead to increased treatment costs, including medications, examinations, specialist care, and expenses linked to vision impairment, which requires dependency on others.

Regular eye examinations for the elderly can mitigate several problems and ultimately save them and their families money in the long run. This is consistent with the survey findings indicating that nearly half of caregivers for elderly patients experience financial difficulties due to their caregiving responsibilities.3  Additionally, 33% of these see a drop in their income, and 36% struggle with decreased work efficiency – figures that are the highest in the region.

Roche is therefore collaborating with various hospitals to promote eye health education for the elderly through easy-to-understand learning materials such as brochures and videos, providing clear information accessible to a wide Thai audience. "We work with ophthalmologists and hospitals nationwide to raise awareness about the significance of eyes and potential risks involved. Our mission is to encourage regular eye examinations, ideally starting by age 40 while the government also provides free rights to eye examinations for all Thais.”

"This collaboration is dedicated not only to enhance eye health for the elderly, but also to ensuring that all Thai individuals enjoy healthy vision,” Mr Matthew concluded.