Perdami: Pre-Myopia Phase is the Best Time for Intervention in Children

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association (Perdami) Jakarta branch has stated that the pre-myopia phase is the best time to carry out intervention.

Chairwoman of Perdami Jakarta, Dr Julie Dewi Barliana, Sp.M(K), M.Biomed, said in an official statement in Jakarta on Monday that before developing myopia, a child can enter the pre-myopia phase, a condition in which the eye’s refractive error begins to approach myopia and is at risk of developing into short-sightedness.

At the Meet The Expert 2026 event in Jakarta on Sunday (12 July), Julie noted that myopia cases are now frequently found in children under the age of seven. The earlier myopia appears, the faster its progression.

According to Julie, without appropriate intervention, myopia can develop into high myopia and even pathological myopia, which risks causing complications such as posterior staphyloma, myopic maculopathy, foveoschisis, and optic nerve damage that can permanently reduce the quality of vision.

She added that Asian ethnicity, minimal outdoor activity, and excessive near-distance activity or screen time require earlier attention.

President Director of EssilorLuxottica Indonesia, Dailami Aziz, stated that the company would collaborate with Perdami to improve education on the importance of early detection and myopia management in children.

She continued that increased use of digital devices, increasingly intensive near-distance activities, and reduced time spent by children playing outdoors are factors driving the accelerated development of myopia.

The company has developed Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target (H.A.L.T.) technology, applied in Essilor® Stellest® lenses, which not only help correct the vision of children with short-sightedness but are also designed to slow the elongation of the eye’s axial length.