A Salute to Indonesia’s Women Eye Health Workers: Restoring Sight, Changing Lives
Women eye health workers in Indonesia are playing a vital role in reducing blindness and improving eye health across the country.
Blindness remains a major health issue in Indonesia, which has one of the highest rates of blindness in the world. Untreated cataracts are the leading cause, according to a 2020 study by Indonesian scientists on blindness and visual impairment, published in the Ophthalmic Epidemiology journal in 2021.
Globally, women and girls account for 55 percent of the blind and visually impaired population, yet many struggle to access the eye care they need, further deepening cycles of poverty, according to The Fred Hollows Foundation, an international eye health NGO. A similar situation exists in Indonesia, where a severe shortage of ophthalmologists exacerbates limited access to eye care. The ratio of ophthalmologists in Indonesia remains alarmingly low, with one ophthalmologist serving more than 160,000 people or far below the WHO standard of 1:20,000.
Despite these challenges, women health workers in West Nusa Tenggara and West Java are stepping up to lead the fight against preventable blindness. They are working with the Ministry of Health, Provincial Health Offices, and NGOs to make a lasting impact in their communities.
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For Dr. Mayang, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing patients regain their sight and return to their everyday lives.
“It’s a way of life — to be someone useful,” she said. “I always look forward to when the patches come off the next day after surgery. It feels like a pat on the back.”
More than 200,000 people aged 50 and above in West Java are blind due to cataracts, according to the 2017 Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness in Indonesia.
Despite consistent efforts to reduce blindness since 2005, the backlog of cataract surgeries remains significant. Dr. Mayang highlighted the need for greater collaboration among provincial health offices to address this issue.
“The backlog is still high, but we have a capable team doing everything possible to reduce it,” she said.
With over 15 years of experience, Dr Nina Ratnaningsih regularly participates in up to four mass cataract surgery events each month, organized by Cicendo National Eye Hospital. For her, eye surgery for the community is her calling.
“I finished 33 surgeries for a charity event today. This is what I do, and I want to offer it to the community.”
In October 2024, over 100 people had their sight restored through a free mass cataract surgery event in Garut Regency supported by The Fred Hollows Foundation.
Dr Nina credits efficient surgical techniques and strong partnerships with community health centers for the success of these programs.
“If the surgery is fast, patients are more comfortable and confident to get the surgery.”
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For nurse Intan Purnamasari, seeing patients regain their independence fuels her dedication to eye care.
“After one cataract surgery, I saw a patient who couldn’t walk regain her mobility. She was able to return to her normal activities. It’s the moments like these that inspire me to keep going,” she said.
Intan recently attended a training program on eye care, sponsored by The Fred Hollows Foundation for health workers in Garut.
“It boosted my confidence to do community outreach and connect with other health workers from different puskesmas (community health center).”
Previously, Intan was the only one in Karangpawitan trained to perform vision screenings. Thanks to the training, she was able to share her knowledge with her colleagues.
Ai Sri Cahyati never imagined becoming a nurse, but over time, she found fulfillment in helping others.
“Being a nurse wasn’t my childhood dream, but helping people brings me happiness.”
Eye health, once overlooked, is so vital for the community. “It deserves to be a priority,” Ai said.
“When the eye patches come off, and they thank us, I feel so proud. It makes all the exhaustion worth it. Those moments turn a tiring day into cherished memories.”
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West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has the second highest prevalence of blindness in Indonesia, according to the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness in 2017.
There were no eye health services when Dr Siti Farida started working in the province in the early 1980s. The people of NTB only had access to eye doctors from Surabaya, who would fly in and stay for up to two weeks to conduct operations.
A lot of positive changes have happened over the years, including the involvement of The Fred Hollows Foundation in the province’s eye health program.
The Foundation helped train doctors and nurses and supported community eye health education initiatives.
“The greatest challenge is to get more people to become aware of eye health care. Some people are just resigned to the fact that they can leave themselves to be blind,” she said.
Through the dedication of women eye health workers, that mindset is slowly changing.
Their efforts are not just restoring sight, they are restoring dignity, independence, and hope for thousands across Indonesia.
