{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1754636,
        "msgid": "doctor-affirms-cataracts-cannot-be-cured-solely-with-eye-drops-1779542712",
        "date": "2026-05-21 14:02:00",
        "title": "Doctor Affirms Cataracts Cannot Be Cured Solely with Eye Drops",
        "author": "Putri Rosmalia",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Technology",
        "summary": "An ophthalmologist specialising in cataract and refractive surgery states that cataracts cannot be cured with eye drops alone; medication can only slow progression. Cataracts, often age-related, can be fully corrected with surgery in which the cloudy lens is replaced by an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Advances in technique have made modern cataract surgery quicker and less invasive, while myths about the procedure persist.",
        "content": "<p>Many people continue to hold misconceptions about cataract treatment.\nDr Amir Shidik, an ophthalmologist specialising in cataract and\nrefractive surgery, stresses that cataracts cannot be removed using eye\ndrops alone. Eye drops available today can at best slow the progression\nof lens clouding, but cannot cure it outright. \u2018There is no eye drop\nthat effectively eliminates cataracts; at most it slows progression.\nSurgery is the only route,\u2019 he said during a health discussion in\nJakarta recently.<\/p>\n<p>Cataract is a clouding of the eye\u2019s lens that typically develops with\nage. But he notes other risk factors can accelerate the condition. The\ngood news is that cataracts can be completely corrected. In surgery, the\ncloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (IOL),\nrestoring clear vision. The ophthalmologist, a graduate of Universitas\nIndonesia, also compared advances in medical technology. In the past,\ncataract surgery required a large incision up to 15 mm and many sutures;\nnow techniques are far simpler. \u2018Surgery now is quick\u2014about 10-15\nminutes. The anaesthesia is just eye drops, no stitches are needed, and\nthe eye can be opened immediately,\u2019 he explained.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to medical obstacles, Amir highlights many myths that\ndeter patients from seeking treatment. One of the most extreme myths is\nthat the eyeball must be removed and cleaned during surgery; he stressed\nthis is completely untrue. Other concerns often relate to worship\npractice, with patients worried they won\u2019t be able to perform sujud or\npray after the operation. In fact, with modern techniques, patients can\ncarry on with activities and worship more comfortably as vision\nimproves.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, Amir emphasises the importance of cataract surgery for\npatients\u2019 social life quality. Cataract patients often withdraw or\nappear vacant-eyed due to limited vision. \u2018After the operation, facial\nexpressions change; people smile more and interact more because they can\nsee the world clearly again,\u2019 he concluded.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/doctor-affirms-cataracts-cannot-be-cured-solely-with-eye-drops-1779542712",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}