Article

ZEISS Supports Children With Congenital Cataract in Indonesia

Donating 2025 pairs of spectacles together with Optik Tunggal

5 September 2024

Together with its partner, Optik Tunggal, ZEISS is committed to donating 2025 pairs of spectacles for children with congenital cataract* in Indonesia. Optik Tunggal and ZEISS share a common concern for children’s visual impairments and have consistently provided vision care help for the underprivileged. In 2019, Optik Tunggal started a collaboration with ZEISS to provide 90 complimentary pairs of spectacles for children with congenital cataracts. This has now grown to 2025 pairs of spectacles aimed for completion by 2025.

What I like about Optik Tunggal is our shared values. Both organizations have a strong purpose for our responsibility towards society and community. Given that the social responsibility element of this initiative is very much ingrained in ZEISS itself for many years already, it was only natural that we collaborated with them on this partnership. We are thankful to have a partner like Optik Tunggal and are glad to be part of this wonderful program.

Ven Raman
Managing Director of ZEISS Southeast Asia.

Congenital cataract in Indonesia – a common cause of blindness

In Indonesia, the level of blindness in children is still unclear due to a lack of research. However, a study from Muhit, et al in 2017, reported that 195 children (aged 0-15 years) examined in Sumba and Yogyakarta, 113 children experienced blindness or severe visual impairment. The most common cause of blindness was problems with the lens (35.31%). The study also estimated the prevalence of cataracts at 0.07 per 1000 children in Sumba, and 0.05 per 1000 children in Yogyakarta. By using the prevalence study of cataracts in Sumba and combining it with a study in Cicendo Eye Hospital (where congenital cataract contributes 94% to childhood cataract cases), we can estimate that from the average annual birth rate of 4.8 million people in Indonesia, there’s a risk of 315 babies born yearly with congenital cataract.

*a congenital cataract is already present at birth

Highly specialized and customized lenses to support children

“To treat congenital cataract, special lenses are needed. Once the natural lens is removed, we provide ‘aphakic’ lenses. The power and shape of the lenses will vary, too. Every pair of lenses is customized, because other optical parameters, like the axial length and so on, also need to be considered. At ZEISS, we have the capability to make these special lenses as we have the knowledge and expertise for it. Not many companies can do this, especially on a large scale. For us, it is not only about trying to make commercial lenses but also special lenses to help others. We need to change our entire production process to enable this, which shows our commitment to this project. We hope to better the lives of the children in Indonesia,” added Ven.

Aphakic lenses, which come in high diopters, are scarce in Indonesia. And if available, they come at a high price. “We are fortunate to have a partner like Optik Tunggal and are honored to be a part of such a meaningful initiative where we can help to improve the lives of underprivileged children in Indonesia”, concluded Ven. Anyone who wants to register a child as a candidate for these special lenses can contact Optik Tunggal via email at Optiktunggalpeduli@optiktunggal.com.