Cataract Cases in Indonesia Surge, Don't Take Them Lightly!

The government faces a policy dilemma with no truly comfortable solution. Cataract cases in Indonesia continue to increase and pose a serious threat to public health. This condition, which causes clouding of the eye’s lens, not only reduces vision quality but also risks blindness if not addressed.

Dr Amir Shidik, an ophthalmologist specialising in cataracts and refractive surgery at Pondok Indah Hospital, revealed that Indonesia is currently in a backlog phase, where the number of cases far exceeds handling capacity.

“With the current number of operations, it would take about eleven years to resolve cataract cases. This assumes no new cases,” said Amir in South Jakarta on Wednesday (8/4).

The high number of cataracts in Indonesia is triggered by various factors, from limited access to health services to persistent myths in society.

The distribution of eye specialists and cataract surgery facilities remains concentrated in major cities. Meanwhile, many cases are found in remote areas with minimal medical access.

On the other hand, many people are reluctant to undergo surgery due to fear or belief in alternative treatments.

“There is no medicine that can cure cataracts. Eye drops only slow the process, not remove the lens clouding,” Amir stressed.

In fact, with current medical technology, cataract surgery is considered safe, quick, and has a relatively short recovery period.

Cataracts generally develop slowly and are often unnoticed until the condition worsens. Some symptoms to watch for include:

As age increases, the risk of cataracts also rises significantly.

Although not all cases can be prevented, cataract risk can be reduced with simple steps:

“Protection is key. Use protection during outdoor activities and don’t use medicines indiscriminately,” Amir concluded.