Can Spending Time Outdoors Help Prevent Myopia in Children? Expert Discusses Lifestyle Factors Impacting Children’s Vision

Myopia, also known as nearsightedness, has become a growing concern for children, especially in a world where screens dominate daily life. While genetics does play a part in the development of myopia, the increasing amount of time spent in front of screens and the lack of outdoor activities are significant contributing factors. Myopia often begins in childhood when the eyes are still growing, making this a critical period for the development of healthy eyesight.

To understand the impact of lifestyle on children’s eyesight, it is essential to recognize how excessive elongation of the eye, scientifically known as axial length, can lead to blurred distance vision. In a recent interview with Zee News English, Dr. Aloka Hedau, a Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Squint Surgeon at Dr. Aloka’s Eye Care in Hyderabad, shared some surprising ways parents can protect their child’s vision, prevent myopia, and maintain their eye health.

Myopia occurs when the eyes elongate too much from front to back, causing light to converge in front of the retina rather than directly onto it. While genetics can be a factor, lifestyle choices like prolonged screen time and engaging in near vision activities can also contribute to the development of myopia in children.

When it comes to preventing myopia and promoting healthy vision, spending time outdoors can have a positive impact:

Benefitting from Sunlight: Research suggests that sunlight plays a role in preventing excessive eye elongation by triggering the release of dopamine into the eye when it reaches the retina. Children who spend at least 2-3 hours outdoors under sunlight tend to show slower myopia progression compared to those who spend most of their time indoors.

Focusing on Distant Views: Spending time outdoors encourages children to focus on distant objects, such as trees or sports activities, which are more than an arm’s length away. This can help reduce eye strain and promote healthy visual development.

Vitamin D: The presence of Vitamin D in sunlight also contributes to maintaining the proper function of the smooth muscle tissue around the eye’s crystalline lens, which helps focus light on the retina and may play a role in maintaining the right eye shape and length.

For parents struggling to encourage their children to venture outdoors, several strategies can make outdoor time more appealing:

Engaging in Outdoor Activities: Spending time with the child in outdoor activities not only encourages them to be outside but also allows parents to benefit from the sunshine.

Exploring Different Playgrounds: Visiting new playgrounds each week can add an element of excitement, turning the outing into an adventure for the child.

Cultivating Sporting Interests: Connecting outdoor time with playing a favourite sport can increase children’s likelihood of choosing outdoor activities over digital devices.

Embarking on Nature Trails: Nature-rich environments not only motivate children to spend time outdoors but also foster a deeper connection with the natural world.

Organising a Scavenger Hunt: Creating a scavenger hunt can not only promote outdoor play but also nurture creativity in outdoor activities.

In conclusion, as the concern over myopia in children grows, it’s essential for parents to understand the lifestyle factors that can impact their child’s eyesight. Encouraging outdoor play and spending time in sunlight can contribute significantly to maintaining healthy vision for children. With the right strategies and a bit of creativity, parents can make outdoor activities more appealing and help protect their child’s eyesight in the long run.