Study Reveals 40 Percent Of Children Experience Vision Disorders And 70 Percent Experience Emotional Problems

JAKARTA - Children's eye health in Indonesia is an increasingly important issue to pay attention to. Various studies show visual impairments in children, especially refractional disorders such as remote speeches or close contacts, can have a direct impact on their learning skills and mental development.

Unfortunately, there are still many children who have not had access to adequate examinations and vision corrections. This condition requires a screening system that is more accessible, effective, and sustainable, especially in elementary schools and inclusive educational institutions.

Recently, it is estimated that 3.6 million Indonesian children have had a refractional disorder, and three of the four children have not received the necessary correctional glasses.

Recognizing these challenges, the Health Collaborative Center (HCC) together with the Laulima Eye Health Initiative and the Indonesian Health Development Center (IHDC) launched CERMATA, an inclusive digital-based eye and soul health screening innovation, the results of local adaptation from the WHOeyes platform.

The online platform is designed as a scientific solution to address limited access to conventional screening, especially among elementary school children and people with disabilities.

"This is an unprecedented and holistic screening approach because it uses a collaborative approach between vision and mental health, two important health problems to shape the quality of Indonesia's human resources," said dr. Kianti Raisa Darusman, SpM(K), Project Leader and Principal Researcher Cermata at a press conference in Jakarta, recently.

Doctor Kianti explained, from the results of the validation and implementation test of more than 1,200 elementary school children in Jakarta, this platform has been proven to increase the screening coverage and effectiveness of early detection of visual impairments and the health of children during the learning process at school.

"Through the process of developing, testing validation and implementation of more than 1,200 elementary school children in Jakarta, it is proven that this Cermata approach is very effective in increasing the screening coverage power and even the effectiveness of early detection for children's visual and mental health problems during the learning process at school," said Dr. Kianti, who is a pediatrician.

The results of the study also show that children with visual impairments have a higher risk of experiencing anxiety. The method is through early detection, the results can help teachers to also detect the risk of disturbances like this in schools and of course can help the teaching and learning process.

"According to several qualitative analyses that we found at the school during the Cermata trial, teachers also found this approach very helpful," explained dr. Kianti.

CERMATA development trials conducted between May and October 2025 include a number of scientific stages, such as:

The preliminary study on 1,254 elementary and vocational elementary school students in Jakarta,

Meeting with 11 multidisciplinary experts from the field of eye health, primary health, education, and psychology,

The WHOeyes adaptation to the CERMATA web screening platform,

Training 128 child companions,

Trial and validation of 849 students, as well as

Provide correction glasses for children with refraction disorders.

Especially for the mental health aspect, this platform is also integrated with the PedEyeQ questionnaire, which assesses visual functions, limitations due to eye problems, social functions, and levels of child concern.

Preliminary results showed important findings that about 40 percent of children had visual impairments, while 70 percent of them showed signs of emotional disorders. In addition, half of the total screened children were identified as having behavioral problems, and about 27 percent showed indications of hyperactivity.

Preliminary results showed important findings that about 40 percent of children had visual impairments, while 70 percent of them showed signs of emotional disorders. In addition, half of the total screened children were identified as having behavioral problems, and about 27 percent showed indications of hyperactivity.

Preliminary results showed important findings that about 40 percent of children had visual impairments, while 70 percent of them showed signs of emotional disorders. In addition, half of the total screened children were identified as having behavioral problems, and about 27 percent showed indications of hyperactivity.

Preliminary results showed important findings that about 40 percent of children had visual impairments, while 70 percent of them showed signs of emotional disorders. In addition, half of the total screened children were identified as having behavioral problems, and about 27 percent showed indications of hyperactivity.

Preliminary results showed important findings that about 40 percent of children had visual impairments, while 70 percent of them showed signs of emotional disorders. In addition, half of the total screened children were identified as having behavioral problems, and about 27 percent showed indications of hyperactivity.

Preliminary results showed important findings that about 40 percent of children had visual impairments, while 70 percent of them showed signs of emotional disorders. In addition, half of the total screened children were identified as having behavioral problems, and about 27 percent showed indications of hyperactivity.

Preliminary results showed important findings that about 40 percent of children had visual impairments, while 70 percent of them showed signs of emotional disorders. In addition, half of the total screened children were identified as having behavioral problems, and about 27 percent showed indications of hyperactivity.

Responding to these results, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2014'2019 period, Prof. Nila F. Moeloek, who is also the main advisor of this program, considered that CERMATA was a major breakthrough for the health of the Indonesian public.

"Through digitalization, screening can be done anytime and anywhere, including in schools and the home environment," said Nila, who also serves as Chair of the Indonesian Board of Trustees Health Development Center (IHDC).

"This platform is also designed inclusively for children with disabilities using printed E-letter aids. This platform has gone through a language transfer process by translators and meets scientific validity standards," he added.

Prof. Nila also emphasized that this digital innovation is not just a screening tool, but a collaborative movement involving teachers, parents, and health workers as the main assistant. Screening results can be an entry point for health referral networks from schools to health centers and advanced health facilities.

Through this program, HCC, Laulima, and IHDC invite the central and regional governments to integrate CERMATA into national policies for children's health and education, as well as encourage educational institutions, philanthropic organizations, and the private sector to support the sustainability of this program as part of the national strategy to improve the quality of human resources towards Indonesia Gold 2045.