According to a recent study published in the Sept. 15, 2015 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), among 6-year-old children in Guangzhou, China, the addition of 40 minutes of outdoor activity at school compared with usual activity resulted in a reduced incidence rate of myopia over the next three years.
Authors of the study say that myopia has reached epidemic levels in parts of East and Southeast Asia. Though there is no effective intervention to prevent the development of nearsightedness, this study shows a correlation between greater outdoor time and reduced likelihood of nearsightedness among children.
“The American Optometric Association (AOA) has long been concerned about the increased incidence of myopia and the impact of the increased visual stress caused by digital eye strain,” says AOA President-elect, Andrea P. Thau, O.D. “The AOA strongly encourages children to participate in outdoor activities and to follow the 20-20-20 rule: for every 20 minutes of reading, computer or close work take a 20 second rest break by looking at things at least 20 feet away.”
Dr. Thau advises children should be encouraged to engage in eye-hand coordination activities and to play sports and other outdoor activities.
