Prevent Blindness from Diabetes: Diabetics Must Regularly Check Their Retina

Professor Muhammad Bayu Sasongko, an eye health expert, has urged people with diabetes not to underestimate blurred vision, as diabetic retinopathy remains a leading cause of blindness in Indonesia. The disease often goes undetected because it damages the small blood vessels inside the retina without causing obvious cosmetic symptoms, meaning many patients only seek help when the condition is already severe. “Diabetic retinopathy is not very well known because it is located inside the eyeball. In fact, damage to the small blood vessels in the retina has already occurred, which can cause bleeding or the accumulation of fat and protein,” Bayu stated during a discussion in Jakarta on Monday. According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey, the prevalence of diabetes is 11.7 percent, affecting approximately 32 million people. Data from the national health insurer BPJS Kesehatan shows that among 12 million patients receiving regular treatment, around 5.2 million have already developed diabetic retinopathy, with 1.2 million requiring serious medical intervention such as laser treatment or surgery. Bayu explained that the risk of retinal damage increases with the duration of diabetes, particularly when accompanied by hypertension, high cholesterol, and smoking. To address this, the Diabetic Retinopathy Initiative (DRIVE) has been launched, a population-based retinal screening system integrated with national health services. The programme is currently being trialled in four regions of Indonesia using portable fundus camera technology. “Retinal screening is actually very easy to do. With a retinal photo, the condition of the eye can be detected early. We hope this service becomes more accessible so that blindness can be prevented before severe visual impairment occurs,” he concluded.