Cataract or clouding of the lens of the eye is the main cause of blindness in Indonesia. Reporting from the news center page of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, in 2017, there were 8 million people with visual impairments. A total of 1.6 million blind people plus 6.4 million people with moderate and severe visual impairment.
The high prevalence of cataracts can be prevented by conducting regular eye examinations and facilitating access to eye health. As done by the Community Service Team of Medical Education Student Association, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya. Through the OK work program, these students carried out cataract checks at the Elderly Posyandu RW 04 Ciptomulyo, Sukun District, Malang City, on Friday (24/7/2022).
“This activity is a collaboration between HMPD and the Association of Indonesian Ophthalmologists (PERDAMI) Malang Raya. The screening itself was carried out at the RW hall, followed by 30 elderly people from the local RW,” said Akmal Fachriansyah as the Chief Executive. During the activity, these 16 students were also accompanied by 7 assistant lecturers from the Ophthalmologist Program and PERDAMI.
This screening, according to Akmal, is intended as an effort to prevent cataract blindness in Indonesia. “The cataract screening process passes through a station consisting of a self-data collection station and examination of TTV, visual acuity, anterior pre-middle segment, anterior post-middle segment, funduscopy, and KIE as well as filling out an evaluation questionnaire. The cataract screening process is carried out by a team of doctors who are assisted by medical preclinical students of FK UB,” he explained.
From the results of examination, according to Kyla Nikita as the committee, follow-up will be given according to the need. “Patients who are diagnosed and need surgery have been informed and recommended for surgery, at the RSSA or at the RSUB. Whereas the diagnosis of other eye disorders, communication, information and education have been provided as well as eye control per clinical clinic,” hse said.
At the end of the activity, the results of the examination are processed and recorded by a team of doctors to determine patients with cataract indications. “Participants who indicated cataracts were then contacted and directed to consult their condition and decision on further medical action with an ophthalmologist from the eye department of FK UB”, she explained. Monitoring is also carried out with confirmation and telephone for social service participants, regarding the results and side effects of the patient’s eye dilation process.
This activity received a positive response from local officials. “This activity carried out by the college students is very beneficial for us because it makes it easier to access for free eye screening and is time efficient because there is no need to go to the hospital,” said Rinto Wahyuno, Head of RW. 04, Ciptomulyo Village.
Through this examination, Akmal hopes that people suffering from cataracts can be detected early so that they can immediately get medical help before it is too late. [Humas UB/ Trans. Iir]