Gus Dur's eyesight improving: Doctors<\/p>\n
By Kornelius Purba<\/p>\n
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (JP): Doctors declared on Saturday the
\nright eye of President Abdurrahman Wahid was in excellent
\ncondition, although they also indicated that his vision was not
\nlikely to fully recover.<\/p>\n
Robert O. Hoffman, a strabismos surgeon, said the President's
\nhealth, including his diabetes and high-blood pressure, was under
\ncontrol. Abdurrahman underwent a four-hour checkup at the Moran
\nEye Center at the University of Utah.<\/p>\n
The doctor recommended Abdurrahman return for further
\nobservation and possible treatment in April next year.<\/p>\n
\"His remaining right eye at present is excellent. The vision
\ntoday was assessed by an ophthalmologist, and it is in the
\napproximately 20 percent range at present and this is stable. We
\nwere very pleased that there was no deterioration,\" Hoffman said
\nin a joint news conference with B.C.K. Patel, an ophthalmic
\nplastic surgeon, and Tom Miller, an internist.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman's daughter Zanubba Arifah \"Yenny\" Chafsoh Rahman,
\nwho acted as interpreter during the conference, said her father's
\nvision was only about five percent when he was treated here in
\nAugust.<\/p>\n
According to Yenny, her father could read several letters
\nduring the checkup, by using a special piece of equipment.<\/p>\n
Patel said Abdurrahman himself said he felt much better with
\nhis right eye after undergoing surgery in August, although the
\nvision in his left eye is permanently impaired due to the
\ncombined effects of diabetes and high-blood pressure.<\/p>\n
\"We have tested him using different types of equipment and we
\nare hopeful there are some technological devices that can help
\nhim, as far as functioning is concerned,\" said Patel, whose
\npatients include many celebrities.<\/p>\n
Hoffman said they operated on the President to reposition his
\neye ball and to realign his right eye.<\/p>\n
\"We are very pleased with the result of the surgery and
\ntoday's testing shows the health of the eye is excellent,\" said
\nHoffman.<\/p>\n
When asked to identify the President's vision problem, Patel
\nreplied, \"As you probably know the President lost vision in his
\nleft eye several years ago. He has got some preserved vision in
\nthat eye.<\/p>\n
\"And the reason why the vision is poor is that in the past he
\nhas had glaucoma.\"<\/p>\n
Patel acknowledged the President could not read fully and see
\nthings clearly, but emphasized that his right eye functions very
\nwell.<\/p>\n
\"He is what might be called partially sighted. He has vision
\nand the vision has remained stable for at least the last six
\nmonths,\" Patel said.<\/p>\n
Miller said the President physical condition was excellent due
\nto his discipline in following doctors' advise, including a
\nstrict diet. \"Our assessment is that he is stronger than we've
\never seen him before,\" Miller said.<\/p>\n
The doctors did not give the President special glasses as had
\nbeen previously expected by him.<\/p>\n
Hoffman said the hospital is researching a special device to
\nenable a half-blind patient to see again, but the device still
\ncould not be used by humans.<\/p>\n
During the treatment, the American doctors were accompanied by
\nseveral Indonesian doctors, including the President's younger
\nbrothers Umar Wahid and Sidharta. First Lady Sinta Nuriyah was at
\nAbdurrahman's side during the checkup.<\/p>\n
\"During the medication my father continuously made jokes and
\nof course my father became more handsome after the treatment,\"
\nYenny said.<\/p>\n
The President stayed at his friend Hall Jansen's residence
\nduring his two-day trip here. According to Yenny, the family have
\nstayed at the house of the leader of the Mormon sect on previous
\nvisits.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman himself was apparently satisfied with the result
\nof the checkup. He entertained members of the Association of
\nIndonesian Students in the U.S. (Permias) with his jokes. As
\nusual, he laughed when telling them.<\/p>\n
He told the students he has plenty of time to relax because
\nVice President Megawati Soekarnoputri is in charge of major
\naffairs.<\/p>\n
\"I can have a pleasant trip because she is fully in charge,\"
\nAbdurrahman said and burst into laughter.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-durs-eyesight-improving-doctors-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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