Researchers have found evidence that children who spent the most time outdoors were the least likely to suffer from myopia, also called nearsightedness or shortsightedness. Myopia has become increasingly common in recent decades, with more than 80 percent of people in some groups being nearsighted.
Researchers looked at more than 4,000 children in two age groups. They found that among 12-year-olds, those who spent more than 2.8 hours outside every day were less likely to be myopic. In contrast, children who spent less than 1.6 hours outdoors every day and more than 3.1 hours in near-work activity had double to triple the likelihood of being nearsighted.

SOURCE: Ophthalmology, August 2008.

Tags: babies | eyes | health | kids | outdoor

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