Pre-myopia Phase is the Best Time for Myopia Intervention in Children
The Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association (Perdami) has stressed that the pre-myopia phase is a crucial period and the best time to intervene in children. This step is important to prevent the development of more severe myopia in the future.
Chairperson of Perdami Jakarta, Dr. Julie Dewi Barliana, explained that pre-myopia is a condition where a child’s eye refraction measurement begins to approach the myopia threshold. If left untreated, this condition has a high risk of developing into myopia.
At the Meet The Expert 2026 event in Jakarta on Sunday (12/7), Dr. Julie revealed a worrying trend where myopia cases are now frequently found in children under the age of seven. She warned that the earlier myopia appears, the faster its progression will be.
“If we do not curb this progression, the risk of future vision complications will be even greater,” Dr. Julie said in an official statement on Monday (13/7).
Without proper intervention, myopia in children can develop into high myopia and even pathologic myopia. This condition risks triggering various serious complications, including retinal tears, which can permanently reduce vision quality if not anticipated early.
In addition to genetic factors and the higher predisposition of the Asian ethnicity, Dr. Julie highlighted lifestyle changes as the main trigger for the increasing cases of myopia. High study loads reduce outdoor playtime, while near-work activities or screen time via gadgets are increasing.
In line with this, EssilorLuxottica Indonesia’s President Director, Dailami Aziz, expressed his commitment to collaborating with Perdami to strengthen early detection education. He assessed that the increased use of digital devices and lack of outdoor activity are factors accelerating myopia in the younger generation.
Through this collaboration, it is hoped that more eye health professionals will implement evidence-based myopia management. This collective step is expected to reduce the risk of vision complications while maintaining the quality of life for Indonesia’s young generation in the future.