Profile of Refractive Errors in Children at dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital

Abstract

Refractive errors, notably myopia, are highly prevalent in Asian countries, with a notable increase observed in the pediatric population. This surge is attributed to lifestyle changes such as less time outdoors and increased exposure to digital screens and near-work activities, which are known to elevate myopia risk. A retrospective review of medical records was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, from 2020 to 2022, identifying 290 eyes of 146 children with refractive errors. Myopia emerged as the most prevalent refractive error, affecting 53.4% of eyes in this study. The median age of the participants was 8 years old, with 56.8% being females and 65.8% residing in Jakarta. Early detection and management of refractive errors are crucial to prevent irreversible visual impairment in children. Further multi-centered studies are recommended to comprehensively understand pediatric refractive errors in Indonesia.