Eye disorders affect nearly 3 million CKG participants in Indonesia

Approximately 2.95 million participants in the 2025–2026 Free Health Check (CKG) program in Indonesia were found to have eye disorders. Dr. Budu, Chairman of the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association (PERDAMI), warned that many individuals are unaware of their vision issues, leading to delayed treatment and risks of permanent blindness.

Cataracts remain a primary cause of blindness, accounting for 81.2 percent of cases in individuals over age 50. Ministry of Health surveys indicate between 600,000 and 650,000 blindness cases are caused by cataracts. Beyond health concerns, vision impairment carries significant economic consequences; the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness estimates a potential productivity loss of 411 billion USD.

Medical experts also highlighted glaucoma, often called the ‘thief of sight,’ because it damages the optic nerve silently and without pain. Once nerve damage from glaucoma occurs, it is irreversible. Other risks associated with untreated eye conditions include a 2.6 times higher likelihood of accidents and reduced educational opportunities for children.