Gus Dur's eyesight improving: Doctors

By Kornelius Purba

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (JP): Doctors declared on Saturday the right eye of President Abdurrahman Wahid was in excellent condition, although they also indicated that his vision was not likely to fully recover.

Robert O. Hoffman, a strabismos surgeon, said the President's health, including his diabetes and high-blood pressure, was under control. Abdurrahman underwent a four-hour checkup at the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah.

The doctor recommended Abdurrahman return for further observation and possible treatment in April next year.

"His remaining right eye at present is excellent. The vision today was assessed by an ophthalmologist, and it is in the approximately 20 percent range at present and this is stable. We were very pleased that there was no deterioration," Hoffman said in a joint news conference with B.C.K. Patel, an ophthalmic plastic surgeon, and Tom Miller, an internist.

Abdurrahman's daughter Zanubba Arifah "Yenny" Chafsoh Rahman, who acted as interpreter during the conference, said her father's vision was only about five percent when he was treated here in August.

According to Yenny, her father could read several letters during the checkup, by using a special piece of equipment.

Patel said Abdurrahman himself said he felt much better with his right eye after undergoing surgery in August, although the vision in his left eye is permanently impaired due to the combined effects of diabetes and high-blood pressure.

"We have tested him using different types of equipment and we are hopeful there are some technological devices that can help him, as far as functioning is concerned," said Patel, whose patients include many celebrities.

Hoffman said they operated on the President to reposition his eye ball and to realign his right eye.

"We are very pleased with the result of the surgery and today's testing shows the health of the eye is excellent," said Hoffman.

When asked to identify the President's vision problem, Patel replied, "As you probably know the President lost vision in his left eye several years ago. He has got some preserved vision in that eye.

"And the reason why the vision is poor is that in the past he has had glaucoma."

Patel acknowledged the President could not read fully and see things clearly, but emphasized that his right eye functions very well.

"He is what might be called partially sighted. He has vision and the vision has remained stable for at least the last six months," Patel said.

Miller said the President physical condition was excellent due to his discipline in following doctors' advise, including a strict diet. "Our assessment is that he is stronger than we've ever seen him before," Miller said.

The doctors did not give the President special glasses as had been previously expected by him.

Hoffman said the hospital is researching a special device to enable a half-blind patient to see again, but the device still could not be used by humans.

During the treatment, the American doctors were accompanied by several Indonesian doctors, including the President's younger brothers Umar Wahid and Sidharta. First Lady Sinta Nuriyah was at Abdurrahman's side during the checkup.

"During the medication my father continuously made jokes and of course my father became more handsome after the treatment," Yenny said.

The President stayed at his friend Hall Jansen's residence during his two-day trip here. According to Yenny, the family have stayed at the house of the leader of the Mormon sect on previous visits.

Abdurrahman himself was apparently satisfied with the result of the checkup. He entertained members of the Association of Indonesian Students in the U.S. (Permias) with his jokes. As usual, he laughed when telling them.

He told the students he has plenty of time to relax because Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri is in charge of major affairs.

"I can have a pleasant trip because she is fully in charge," Abdurrahman said and burst into laughter.