UGM expert urges public not to normalise vision loss from ageing and diabetes

Professor Muhammad Bayu Sasongko, a Professor of Eye Health Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has urged the public to stop normalising vision impairment as a natural part of ageing or diabetes. Speaking at the ‘Preventing Blindness from Diabetic Retinopathy’ Health Journalist Forum in Jakarta on Monday, he noted that many patients dismiss blurry vision as a common consequence of getting older and having diabetes. “Based on a perception survey we conducted, many patients consider it normal if their vision becomes blurry because they are old and have diabetes. This kind of normalisation must be corrected,” he said.

According to the latest Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), the prevalence of diabetes in the country continues to rise, with an estimated one in ten Indonesians currently living with the condition. Prof. Bayu explained that this misconception often prevents patients from seeking timely eye examinations, leading to severe complications such as permanent blindness. He stressed that the progression of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy can be significantly prevented or slowed if patients undergo routine early detection and receive appropriate medical treatment.

He further warned that allowing the complications to advance untreated severely impacts a patient’s quality of life. “When an individual loses their vision due to diabetic retinopathy, they lose a great opportunity to access essential information and their independence in daily mobility is compromised,” he said. Prof. Bayu also highlighted the broader social burden, noting that families often have to take turns accompanying patients to various specialist clinics, which could be avoided through proactive eye health management. He called on the media to help disseminate health education to encourage diabetes patients to get their eyes checked before it is too late.