Out of 34 million people examined under the Health Ministry’s Free Health Checkup program, 1.6 million people have indications of visual impairment, ObserverID reported. The findings contrast sharply with global estimates that show 1.1 billion people living with untreated visual impairment worldwide.
Health Ministry Launches Comprehensive Community Eye Care Program
The Health Ministry launched the Comprehensive Community Eye Care program on October 15, 2026, to coincide with World Sight Day. Deputy Health Minister Prof. Dante Saksono Harbuwono stated that eye examinations must form an integral part of routine health checks from an early age. “Do not wait until your eyes feel heavy, blurry, or painful,” Prof. Dante said. “Take care of the first organ that works for us every single day.” To tackle regional disparities in eye care, the ministry is expanding screenings, broadening access to cataract surgeries, addressing the uneven distribution of ophthalmologists, and promoting eye health education.
Vision Centers Target Disparities in Regional Care
Historically, eye care services in Indonesia have remained concentrated in hospitals, requiring patients to travel long distances for treatment. The Ministry’s Non-Communicable Diseases Director, dr. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, MEpid, explained that the new Vision Center model connects community health centers, known as Puskesmas, with regional health departments to bring diagnostic services and prescription glasses directly to local neighborhoods.
The three-year initiative aims to examine more than 60,000 students and workers across five provinces and 19 regencies and cities. Amanda Huang, chief of programs and partnership at The Fred Hollows Foundation, noted that the program will train over 2,000 healthcare professionals and teachers, support 16,500 cataract surgeries, distribute more than 100,000 pairs of prescription glasses, and establish 13 new Vision Centers.
Jakarta Students Receive Free Glasses After Eye Screenings
Junior high school students participated in eye screenings during the World Sight Day event in Jakarta. Fayra Salsabila, a student at SMPN 145 Jakarta, discovered she had astigmatism measuring a cylinder of 2.00 in one eye and 1.50 in the other after participating in the screening. She received a free pair of glasses and guidance on protecting her sight. “I got free glasses from this screening,” Fayra said. “Next, I just need to go back to choose my preferred frame style at the optical shop.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Indonesia Eye Care Initiative
How can individuals protect their eyes during daily digital device use?
Deputy Health Minister Prof. Dante Saksono Harbuwono recommends adopting the 20-20-20 rule. This method involves resting the eyes for 20 seconds every 20 minutes of screen time by looking at an object located 20 feet away.
What percentage of global visual impairment is preventable or treatable?
An estimated 90 percent of all global visual impairments are preventable or treatable, according to Health Ministry data released for World Sight Day 2026.
Which organizations are collaborating with the Indonesian government on this initiative?
The Health Ministry is coordinating with the national health insurer BPJS Kesehatan, the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association, and international partners including The Fred Hollows Foundation.
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