15 million with cataract

SEMARANG: An oculist from Diponegoro University's School of Medicine, Wilardjo, said that 3.3 percent of Indonesia's 15 million cataract sufferers have gone blind.

Wilardjo, who is chairman of the Central Java Oculists Association, said that the figure does not include the number of those in the early phases of cataract.

He said the association is researching ways to help people suffering from cataract.

The blind make up 1.2 percent of Indonesia's population and the half-blind comprise another 2.1 percent, he said. (har/05)