The experts are confounded, studies attempting to link
reading and close work have proven inconclusive. Genetic
experts have likewise failed to make a clear connection.
Methodology of studies has been called into question. Some
experts stating the use of different age groups, groups of
vastly differing social functions, and regional differences
may make the studies less accurate.
The question still remains though – why does myopia
continue to increase? My mother used to say, “Get your
nose out of that (comic) book, and go out and play!” or
“Stop watching the TV and go out and play!” or “It’s
a beautiful day – go out and play!” Mom was big on the
benefits of fresh air and sunshine – and play as it
related to kids. Stickball, kick the can, hide and seek,
fishing, mowing (ugh) the lawn, raking leaves, summer camp,
bicycle riding, and winter snow sliding. Anything but
hanging around in the house on a beautiful day.
You’d have to be from another planet not to notice kids
today have their noses stuck in one kind of electronic
screen or another. From in-car DVD players, pocket games,
iPhones, iPods, now iPads (Thanks Steve, just what we
needed, another distraction) Zunes, Droids, etc., etc.
At home they have laptops, desktops, PSP’s, Wii’s,
Xbox’s and so on. My mother would have shaken her head and
given up in disgust. She would have been right, out of all
the prospective causative factors; the one thing that stands
out most prominently is the amount of time a child spends
out of doors. Yup! Mom was right.
This is a possible explanation of why myopia isn’t as
common in Africa, and only about 17% in Australia. (eMedicine.com
May 16, 2008)
There seem to be two reasons being outdoors reduces
incidence of myopia. One is exposure to brightness. Dr.
David G. Williams (Alternatives Feb 2010) believes increased
exposure to various beneficial wavelengths of light would be
a major factor.
The second factor is the change of focus that being
outdoors causes, as Dr. Williams states. “When we look out
over large open spaces all objects are far enough away that
the entire image on the retina is completely in focus – At
all other times the image in the center of the retina might
be in focus but peripheral vision is blurred.”
Dr. Williams feels that by focusing (pun intended) on
reducing refined carbohydrates in our diet - and while
working or studying; every 30 minutes or so, take a break
and go outside and look at the horizon, enjoy our sunrises
and sunsets - we may reduce or prevent myopia.
Mom was right!
