As one meta-analysis put it:

It’s estimated that an increase of one hour per day of outdoor time could reduce the occurrence of myopia in children by 45%.

Make sure your kids spend time outside, folks!

  • a_gee_dizzle@lemmy.caOP
    3·
    8 hours ago

    Considering that a fairly large percentage of children develop myopia (as high as 80-90% in some countries) a 45% reduction would be fairly significant, no? Or am I missing something

    • chunes@lemmy.world
      3·
      8 hours ago

      where are you getting these numbers… from what I can see, the global average was 23% in 2000 and 34% today.

      • a_gee_dizzle@lemmy.caOP
        2·
        6 hours ago

        The 80-90% claim seems to be repeated in various areas on the internet, including by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which I assume to be reputable:

        Over recent decades, the prevalence of myopia has skyrocketed, particularly in Asia. In countries like China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, up to 80-90% of teenagers and young adults are now myopic.

        Of course these local averages are still consistent with a lower global average