Outdoor activities can help prevent myopia in children: study

Outdoor activities can help prevent myopia in children: study
By Alvina Soh | Posted: 11 April 2011 0002 hrs

SINGAPORE : The National University Health System (NUHS) is urging children in Singapore to get out and play, in its latest myopia prevention study.

The year-long study aims to find out if spending more time outdoors can help prevent myopia in children who are between six and 10 years old.

Singapore has one of the highest rates of myopia in the world.

NUHS said this is worrying, as half of the children are myopic by the time they turn 10.

About eight in 10 will have myopia when they reach 18.

It added that the average age of the onset of myopia is eight years old.

Professor Saw Seang Mei, vice-dean for research at the National University Health System, said: "We want to target a group which is susceptible to the environmental factors, so if we increase the outdoor time, it may be able to prevent the development and progression of myopia in this age range."

NUHS said there has been a recent rise in myopia trends in recent years.

In the study, children will take part in weekly activities in the parks - organised by the National Parks Board - such as guided walks and scavenger hunts.

Tay Boon Sin, assistant director at the National Parks Board, said: "Kids nowadays do not spend enough time outdoors, so we really hope that by spending more time outdoors, not only do they get in touch with our parks, nature, they can actually have a more healthy lifestyle."

The study is expected to be completed by April 2012.

The findings will be used to develop a programme to reduce myopia, obesity and other chronic illnesses in Singapore children.

- CNA/ms

- wong chee tat :)