Simple Ways to Slow Myopia in Children

Children’s eye specialist Dr Indah Saraswati, BMEDSC(Hons), Sp M, has shared simple ways to slow the development of myopia, or short-sightedness, in children. One of the easiest methods is to increase outdoor activities. “The most important and most cost-free is outdoor activity,” said the ophthalmologist from Harapan Kita Mother and Child Hospital during the Healthy Vision Day event organised by EssilorLuxottica Indonesia. “The key is to look at a distance of about six metres and be exposed to sunlight. At least two hours a day.”

She noted that outdoor activities do not have to be carried out under the scorching sun. Children can be invited to play or simply sit on the terrace of the house in the morning or evening while looking at distant objects so that their eyes do not constantly focus on near objects. “If, for example, in the city parents are worried about children playing outside, sitting on the terrace is also fine. The important thing is to look at a distance of about six metres and be exposed to sunlight,” said Dr Indah.

In addition to increasing outdoor activities, Dr Indah reminded parents to reduce their children’s habit of viewing objects at close range, including using gadgets for too long. Activities such as reading books or drawing, according to her, should also be interspersed with rest periods so that the eyes do not continuously work at close range. When reading, she said, children should be advised to maintain a distance of at least 30 cm from the reading material and apply the 20-20-20 rule. The 20-20-20 rule means that every 20 minutes of near-distance viewing, rest the eyes for 20 seconds by looking at an object about 20 feet, or six metres, away. Dr Indah added that children’s gadget use should ideally be limited to no more than two hours per day. Apart from potentially accelerating the development of myopia, she said, staring at electronic device screens for too long can affect concentration, sleep quality, and children’s learning processes.