{"id":16135,"date":"2021-07-25T08:36:18","date_gmt":"2021-07-25T08:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=16135"},"modified":"2021-07-25T08:36:18","modified_gmt":"2021-07-25T08:36:18","slug":"can-outdoor-time-prevent-myopia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/childrens-vision\/guide-to-pediatric-eye-conditions\/what-is-myopia-management\/can-outdoor-time-prevent-myopia\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Outdoor Time Prevent Myopia?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over 2.6 billion people worldwide have myopia. Can spending time outdoors reduce myopia progression?<\/b><\/h2>\n

With the prevalence of myopia (nearsightedness)<\/a> on the rise, it’s critical for parents to understand how myopia can affect their child’s future and what steps they can take to safeguard their child’s eye health in the long run, with Myopia Management.<\/a><\/p>\n

Childhood myopia<\/a>, or nearsightedness, raises the risk of major eye sight-threatening diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment later in life.<\/p>\n

What causes myopia?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Myopia results when the eye is longer than it should be, so the light entering the eye focuses in front of the retina rather than directly on it, creating blurry vision.<\/p>\n

Myopia is caused by a mix of hereditary and environmental factors.<\/p>\n

According to several research studies, the amount of time a child spends outside in the daylight plays a significant role in the development of myopia<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n

How does outdoor play affect myopia?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Although researchers have yet to identify precisely why \u2018outdoor time\u2019 prevents or delays myopia, several studies have shown that outdoor time can prevent or lower the chance of developing myopia.<\/p>\n

1. Sunlight<\/b><\/p>\n

One likely reason is the exposure to rays of sunlight.<\/p>\n

According to research published in Progress in Retinal and Eye Research (2017)<\/i>, the sun’s rays cause a release of dopamine which impacts the retina and may slow the elongation of the eye.<\/p>\n

2. Relaxed eyes<\/b><\/p>\n

Another theory is that spending time outside allows a child’s sight to move from nearby items to distant ones.<\/p>\n

This constant changing of focus allows the eyes to relax.<\/p>\n

Excessive near focus, such as staring at a digital screen, is thought to be a major contributor to the current rise in myopia.<\/p>\n

Sending a child outside to play allows them to take a break from their smartphones, tablets, gaming, homework and other near focus activities.<\/p>\n

3. Vitamin D<\/b><\/p>\n

Furthermore, more time spent in the sun allows for greater Vitamin-D production. According to research published by Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (2014)<\/i>, nearsighted people have lower levels of Vitamin-D than those with normal eyesight. However, more research is still needed to provide more information.<\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: What is Myopia Management?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you suspect your child has myopia,<\/strong> contact an eye doctor near you.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

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