PGN Eye Screening Programme Finds Many Children Suffering from Untreated Vision Problems

An eye health screening involving 300 students and residents in Jakarta has discovered that many participants suffer from vision impairments without receiving adequate treatment. Some participants were found to have quite severe myopia, whilst others were still using glasses that no longer matched their eye condition. The findings emerged during an eye examination and free glasses distribution event held by PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk (PGN) through its CAKRA (Cek Kesehatan untuk Rakyat) programme at the PGN Head Office in Jakarta on Thursday (4/6/2026). From the examination results, one student was recorded as having myopia as high as minus 17. There was also a participant who had previously used minus 1 glasses, but upon examination it was discovered their vision had reached minus 6. This condition indicates the community’s limited access to eye health services. The cost of examinations and procuring glasses is one of the factors preventing vision impairments from being promptly addressed. PGN Corporate Secretary Fajriyah Usman stated that the examination results show many children are experiencing vision problems that could potentially affect their learning activities. “From today’s examination results, we see many children suffering from quite serious vision impairments but have not received adequate treatment due to financial limitations. This condition can certainly affect their learning process and quality of life. Therefore, we hope the glasses provided can help them learn more comfortably and confidently,” said Fajriyah. Besides eye health services, PGN has previously organised basic health check-ups in several of the company’s operational areas. The programme has reached 1,610 beneficiaries. “Through this programme, we hope to help improve the community’s health status whilst also raising awareness of the importance of conducting regular health check-ups,” said Fajriyah. The Head of SDN Cideng 7, Ratna Suminar, said the activity helps students who have been struggling to access eye health services due to their families’ financial limitations. “For some students and parents, eye examinations or purchasing glasses are not easy because they require a significant amount of money,” said Ratna. The Head of Al Mubarok Foundation, Henny Setiyani, considers that similar programmes are still needed because many families do not routinely check their children’s eye health. “This programme is very helpful because it provides a solution whose benefits are directly felt by the students and their families. We see very high enthusiasm from the participants and hope activities like this can continue so that more children are helped,” said Henny.