Cicendo Eye Hospital (RSM) in Bandung hosted the 2025 World Sight Day commemoration held in Hall C, 4th Floor. The 2025 commemoration carries the major theme of the Joint Commitment Declaration to Improve Access to Affordable and Equitable Vision Health Services and Assistive Products, Indonesia SPECS 2030.

The Director stated that vision impairment and blindness remain major challenges in Indonesia. Based on data from the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) 2014-2016, the blindness rate in Indonesia is still at 3 percent, the highest in Southeast Asia.

“One of the main causes is uncorrected refractive errors. This condition can affect all age groups and has a significant impact on productivity, especially in children as it can disrupt their learning process,” it was explained.

It was explained that the government has developed the 2025-2030 Vision Health Effort Roadmap as a national strategy. This step forms the basis for expanding refraction services and equalizing access to vision aids such as glasses, with the support of cross-sectoral collaboration.

“There is still a gap between the number of people with vision impairment and the availability of aids. Through Indonesia SPECS 2030, the government aims to reduce this gap through collaboration across various sectors,” it was added.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Dental and Sensory Health Working Team highlighted the threat to eye health in the digital era. This year’s global theme, Love Your Eyes, serves as an important reminder for the public to be more mindful of excessive gadget usage habits.

“RAAB 2016 data shows that 15.9 to 44 percent of school children in Indonesia experience refractive errors. High usage of digital devices risks worsening this condition,” it was stated.

Since February 2025, the Ministry of Health has intensified free eye examinations for the public, especially for school children. This step is part of the national effort to curb vision impairment from an early age.

The peak of the World Sight Day activities was marked by the signing of the Joint Commitment Declaration for Indonesia SPECS 2030, involving the Indonesian Ministry of Health, WHO, and various key stakeholders.

The Director of Non-Communicable Disease Control stated that this declaration is an important milestone for national efforts to strengthen vision services in Indonesia.

“Two out of three people in the world who need glasses have not received them. In Indonesia itself, around 15 million residents aged 50 and over experience vision impairment due to cataracts and refractive errors, while 44 percent of school children face similar problems,” it was explained.

The government aims to increase the coverage of refraction services to 40 percent by 2030. This initiative is part of the global WHO SPECS 2030 cooperation, which emphasizes quality and affordable vision care for all segments of society.

The WHO Representative for Indonesia praised the government’s steps, which are considered in line with Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health. It was assessed that the Community Eye Health or Integrated Community-Based Eye Care approach is an effective step to expand access to eye health services.

“Through this approach, Indonesia is committed to strengthening early screening, expanding public literacy, and improving access to affordable vision aids. WHO is ready to fully support Indonesia in achieving universal eye health coverage by 2030,” it was stated.

WHO’s support includes building Vision Centers in primary services, improving the competency of eye health workers, and implementing teleophthalmology to reach remote areas.

“If Indonesia successfully addresses refractive errors comprehensively, not only will eye health improve, but so will the quality of the national human resources. This SPECS 2030 program could even become a model for other countries in the region,” it was stated.

Cicendo Eye Hospital

The Cicendo Eye Hospital, officially known as Rumah Sakit Mata Cicendo, is a prominent national eye hospital located in Bandung, Indonesia. It was established during the Dutch colonial era in 1921, originally as a specialized clinic for eye diseases. Today, it serves as a major referral center for ophthalmology, providing advanced eye care and treatment to patients from across the country.

Indonesia SPECS 2030

“Indonesia SPECS 2030” is not a specific place or cultural site, but a strategic government initiative. It is a roadmap outlining Indonesia’s national development priorities to be achieved by the year 2030, focusing on key sectors like infrastructure, technology, and human resources. Therefore, it does not have a physical history like a monument or temple, but represents a modern plan for the country’s future.

World Sight Day

World Sight Day is an annual global awareness event held on the second Thursday of October, focusing on the issue of blindness and vision impairment. Coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), it was first observed in 2000 to mobilize support for and highlight the importance of universal eye health. The day aims to raise public awareness and advocate for ensuring everyone, everywhere, has access to quality eye care services.

WHO SPECS 2030

“WHO SPECS 2030” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a strategic initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO). It refers to the “WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for Noncommunicable Diseases (STAG-NCD) SPECS 2030” framework, which is a global strategy launched to accelerate progress on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease and cancer by the year 2030.

Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB)

RAAB is not a physical place or cultural site, but a standardized research methodology used in public health. It is a rapid survey tool designed to assess the prevalence and causes of blindness and visual impairment in a population, typically targeting those aged 50 and over. The data it provides helps governments and health organizations plan effective eye care services and strategies to combat avoidable blindness.

Indonesian Ministry of Health

The Indonesian Ministry of Health is a government institution responsible for public health policy and healthcare services across the Indonesian archipelago. It was formally established after Indonesia’s independence, with its modern structure evolving significantly during the post-colonial era to address the nation’s unique health challenges. The ministry plays a crucial role in managing national health programs, disease prevention, and improving the well-being of the population.

Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health

This is not a place or cultural site, but an Indonesian legislative act. Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning Health is a comprehensive legal framework that updates and replaces the previous 2009 Health Law. It was designed to strengthen Indonesia’s health system, particularly in response to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, and addresses areas such as health financing, the tobacco industry, and the management of future health crises.

Vision Centers

Vision Centers are modern eye care facilities, often established in underserved communities, that provide affordable vision screenings, eyeglasses, and basic treatments. Their history is rooted in initiatives by organizations like VisionSpring and the Aravind Eye Care System, which pioneered this model in India to combat preventable blindness. The goal is to make essential eye care accessible and to improve productivity and quality of life for low-income populations.