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Kids Who Spend More Time Outdoors Have Better Vision
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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 In other words, the eye may see more clearly outside in the sunlight and avoid developing myopia.
Looking at things farther away may be another benefit of outdoor activities. "We know a great deal about what causes myopia in animals, including primates," said Howland. "Images that are focused behind the retina cause the eye to grow in length, making the animal more myopic. Generally speaking, one can prevent animals from becoming myopic if they are provided with sufficient opportunity to see distant objects."
In popular culture, bookworms and nerds are often depicted as wearing glasses. Some studies have indeed shown a connection between heavy reading and myopia, Gwiazda said. But the new research doesn't confirm that link.
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"In our study, children with more hours of outdoor activity do not necessarily spend less time reading and using computers," Gwiazda said.
More information
To learn more about myopia, visit the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
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Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Last updated 1/30/2009
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SOURCES: Jane Gwiazda, Ph.D., director, research, and professor, Department of Vision Science, The New England College of Optometry, Boston; Howard C. Howland, professor, neurobiology and behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.; January 2009, Optometry and Vision Science
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