70% of Glaucoma Patients Have Risk of Blindness

Glaucoma is the second cause after cataract that causes blindness among Indonesians. Glaucoma is normally found among people aged 40 or above. Up to now,  as high as 70% of people with glaucoma in the province of Yogyakarta Special Region have delayed treatment, which makes it difficult to return to their normal condition. ”There are 70% of patients who have come too late for treatment, because previously they felt no symptoms at all. After examination, it turned out that they retain only 30% of their visual capability,” said Prof. Dr. Suhardjo, S.U., Sp.M (K), Chairman of Association of Indonesian Ophthamologists of Yogyakarta branch.

Thus was spoken by Suhardjo in the seminar entitled “Let's Avoid Permanent Blindness That is Caused by Glaucoma”. The seminar that was a cooperation between Indonesian Glaucoma Foundation, Perdami and  Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), was held on Monday (15/3) in Grha Sabha Pramana.

Suhardjo said that surveys in hospitals around Yogyakarta showed that some 0.1-0.2% of the people here have glaucoma. Most of them almost go blind. Now, socialization is held regularly for the people. “When people have general check up, not only their blood, but also the eyeball pressure that should be checked,” said the professor of the Faculty of Medicine.

Another specialist in the Faculty, dr. Retno Ekantini, Sp.M, M. Kes., said that risks of glaucoma increase with age. Somebody aged 40 has 1% risk while those who are 65 and above have 2%. Glaucoma is caused by the damage in the eye nerve due to the high eyeball pressure. “The imbalanced eye fluid causes the high pressure on the eyeball, so the nerve is pressured. The aim of the treatment is to stop the damage,” he explained.

Retno advised people to have an eye check at least every 3 years if there are no complaints. Annual checks are compulsory if one member of the family has glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension, myopia or hypermetropia, or they are on steroids.

Senior Vice Rector for Academic, Research and Community Service, Prof.Dr. Retno S. Sudibyo, M.Sc., Apt. welcomed the suggestion from the Chairman of Perdami, saying that general check ups for lecturers, staff and students also include eyeball pressure. She further said the University's Leadership welcomed the health socialization as information on glaucoma is still rare. “Not many people are aware of this disease. Not many people know the cause and the prevention. This socialization is very much needed," she said. After the opening, participants were given a chance to have their eyes checked.