21 votes

Outdoor time is good for your kids' eyesight. Here's why.

11 comments

  1. [11]
    Grzmot
    Link
    What I've always thought caused myopia is staring at an object fairly close to your face (like a screen) that remains at a fixed distance for hours on end. The end where he suggests that you can...

    What I've always thought caused myopia is staring at an object fairly close to your face (like a screen) that remains at a fixed distance for hours on end. The end where he suggests that you can do even your homework outside makes it seem like it that's not the case. Very interesting!

    Kids should be spending more time outside anyway, and making that a requirement in school sounds like a pretty good thing to do.

    11 votes
    1. [9]
      skybrian
      Link Parent
      Yeah, I’m not sure if I buy that. Maybe the idea is that you look around enough to make a difference? It seems like it would depend on the kid.

      Yeah, I’m not sure if I buy that. Maybe the idea is that you look around enough to make a difference? It seems like it would depend on the kid.

      7 votes
      1. [8]
        TheJorro
        Link Parent
        From what I gleaned from my optometrist, the key is in not letting your eyes settle to one focal distance as "default". Something as little as looking off 20 ft. away every 15-20 minutes is enough...

        From what I gleaned from my optometrist, the key is in not letting your eyes settle to one focal distance as "default". Something as little as looking off 20 ft. away every 15-20 minutes is enough to "exercise" your eyes. I spend most of my days in front of screens one way or the other, so I've established a habit of looking off at different things around my home or office.

        11 votes
        1. [2]
          teaearlgraycold
          Link Parent
          Thankfully I'm usually distracted enough to not work on something or play a video game for too long!

          Thankfully I'm usually distracted enough to not work on something or play a video game for too long!

          2 votes
        2. BashCrandiboot
          Link Parent
          Anecdotal, but the guy who calls the races at my local horsetrack frequently brings up how his optometrist is always complimenting his eyesight, because he's constantly looking down at the track,...

          Anecdotal, but the guy who calls the races at my local horsetrack frequently brings up how his optometrist is always complimenting his eyesight, because he's constantly looking down at the track, then his call sheet, then his binoculars, etc.

          He also does the radio broadcast for our NFL games outside if racing season, so exercising his eyesight is basically a full-time gig for him.

          2 votes
        3. GunnarRunnar
          Link Parent
          It's been a while since I listened to a podcast about this topic that's about right. Afaik the basic point was that that "exercise" is also most effective right after staring something close for a...

          It's been a while since I listened to a podcast about this topic that's about right. Afaik the basic point was that that "exercise" is also most effective right after staring something close for a while.

          1 vote
        4. [3]
          Adys
          Link Parent
          I wonder if there is a negative correlation between adhd and myopia then. My adhd ensures I never look at a single point. And despite decades of computer use I have perfect vision. But who knows.

          I wonder if there is a negative correlation between adhd and myopia then. My adhd ensures I never look at a single point. And despite decades of computer use I have perfect vision. But who knows.

          1 vote
          1. CptBluebear
            Link Parent
            That's possible with your (probably inattentive) variant of adhd. My eyes are absolutely shot and I have the D. So maybe, maybe not?

            That's possible with your (probably inattentive) variant of adhd. My eyes are absolutely shot and I have the D.

            So maybe, maybe not?

            2 votes
          2. sparksbet
            Link Parent
            eh, I doubt that's a thing. I've got ADHD and am nearsighted in both eyes, for another anecdotal data point.

            eh, I doubt that's a thing. I've got ADHD and am nearsighted in both eyes, for another anecdotal data point.

            1 vote
    2. AlexStrinka
      Link Parent
      According to this video, the reason being outside helps prevent myopia is because of the brightness of the light.

      According to this video, the reason being outside helps prevent myopia is because of the brightness of the light.

      4 votes