Dr. Faruk Orge, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital shared that playing outside had a significant effect on stopping myopia, or nearsightedness in children.
Almost 1/4 of the world’s population is nearsighted
According to the study, children who spend only 20 minutes a day playing outdoors experience faster growth in the length of their eyes as compared to children who spend more time outside.
A long and narrow eye distorts a person’s vision, which causes myopia, or nearsightedness. These days, almost 1/4 of the world’s population is nearsighted as a result of people spending more time indoors.
Experts say that at this rate, by 2050, at least half of the world’s population will be suffering from myopia or nearsightedness.
Which is why it’s important for parents to make sure that their children’s eyes are as healthy as possible in order for them to avoid eye problems in the future.
What can parents do?
These days, kids spend a lot of time indoors, and also spend a lot of their time using gadgets and sitting in front of the computer. Spending too much time in front of the screen can have negative effects on your child’s health, and here’s what parents can do about it:
- Let your kids play outdoors. Kids need about 40 minutes of exposure to bright light a day, and the best way to do that is for them to play outdoors. Kids also need at least an hour of play, so it’s a good way to keep their entire body healthy.
- Check for the early signs of myopia. Squinting while reading, rubbing their eyes, or frequent headaches, can possibly be causes of myopia in children. Myopia can cause problems in school, since your child might have a hard time reading textbooks or seeing what’s in front of them.
- Eye checkups are important. Eye checkups can be started by kids as young as age 4, and you should visit the opthalmologist at least once a year. If your family has a history of vision concerns or eye problems, then it’s much more important for kids to have their eyes get checked out.
Source: cleveland19.com, uhhospitals.org
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