Definition

Myopia or farsightedness is a difficulty when seeing far away, such as traffic signs, but it feels easier when looking close. This condition is a common condition and can be treated with concave or minus glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. Based on the lens power needed to correct it, myopia can be divided into:

• mild myopia, i.e. requiring lenses of up to -3.00 D (Dioptre)
• moderate myopia, i.e. requiring lenses of power between -3.00 to -6.00 D
• high myopia, i.e. requiring a lens of power greater than -6.00 D

The number of myopia cases in Indonesia in adults is 18.7%, in elementary school children 32.3%.

Cause

If the shadow of an indirect object does not fall directly on the retina, then we cannot see the shadow clearly. In myopia, objects in the near distance can be seen clearly, but objects that are in the distance will be blurred. This can be caused by axis The eyeball is too long or because the cornea is too curved so that the light entering the eye cannot be focused properly on the retina. The shadow will fall in front of the retina causing blurred vision.

Myopia can be inherited. Children of parents who have myopia can also experience myopia. Myopia can first be identified in children aged 8 to 12 years. During adolescence, body growth can aggravate the condition of myopia. Between the ages of 20-40 years, myopia generally no longer changes significantly. There is also myopia that only occurs in adults. 

Generally, myopia will be stable at the age of 20-30 years. Myopic conditions can be corrected with concave or minus glasses, or contact lenses. If the patient has high myopia, Patients may require refractive surgery.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for myopia, namely:

• Genetics, myopia is inherited in families, especially if both parents have myopia
• Environmental conditions, rarely spending time outside the house

Symptoms

Symptoms that can be experienced by people with myopia include:

• Headache
• Often watering eyes or a headache
• Eye pain
• Often feel tired when looking far away
• In children, it is generally difficult to read the blackboard at school (generally 8-12 years old)
• Need to sit close to a whiteboard or watch television from a close distance to be able to see more clearly
• The eyes feel strained.
• Often rubbing his eyes
• The eyes often blink

Diagnosis

Doctors can diagnose myopia with a visual acuity examination, one of which is with an instrument Snellen Chart. Generally, the blurred condition will improve by using a concave or minus lens. An objective examination can be performed using Indonesian: streak retinoscopy. 

Procedure

Myopia is corrected by using glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

Glasses

If a person has myopia, your eye doctor will give you glasses with concave or minus lenses. The greater the power of your minus lens, the stronger the lens. For example, a lens of -3.00 D is stronger than a lens of -2.50 D. 

Contact Lens

Although not recommended, you can use contact lenses to correct myopia. To use contact lenses, you must maintain the cleanliness of your eyes and hands, especially when wearing and removing them. Unclean contact lens use can cause eye infections.

Operation

Refractive surgery procedures can be used to correct myopia by correcting the curvature of your cornea. There are several types of refractive surgery, including:

• Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), With this procedure, your eye doctor will use a laser to adjust the curvature of your cornea to correct hyperopia. Healing from LASIK surgery is generally faster and more comfortable.
• Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK), is a surgical procedure that corrects the outer part of the cornea (corneal epithelium).
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), is a procedure similar to LASEK. The difference is that in PRK the corneal epithelium will be opened to be able to correct the curvature of the cornea. No need to worry, this corneal epithelium can grow back naturally to form your cornea.
• Implantable Collamer Lens, using a microscopic incision to insert a lens between your natural lens and iris. This can help make the view clearer.

Home Care

• Always check your eye condition regularly.
• See your health conditions to see what diseases you have, such as diabetes, high blood pressure
• Use sunglasses with sun protector to block UV rays
• Prevent eye trauma
• Consume nutritious food
• Do not smoke
• Using the right and appropriate corrective lens
• Use good lighting when viewing or reading
• Reduce eye fatigue by always taking time outside to rest when working

Complications

• Patients with high myopia can increase the risk of experiencing retinal detachment, which is the detachment of the retina layer that adheres to the inner eye.
• Decreased quality of life because you can't do activities well.
• Constant headaches and eye pain.
• Disturbing safety when driving or working.
• Increase the risk of experiencing other eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and myopic maculopathy.

Prevention

The following are ways to prevent myopia, among others:

• Make sure you spend enough time outside the house
• Limit the time screen time 
• Before entering elementary school, make sure your child's eye health
• Always keep your contact lenses clean

When should you see a doctor?

If you find it difficult to see distant objects, you can visit the nearest general practitioner to check your eyes.

If you experience sudden blurred vision with or without pain, double vision, like seeing light, many black shadows flying, immediately visit your nearest health facility. 

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