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Study: Correlation between myopia, outdoor activity likely due to light exposure
In a study to assess the relationship between myopia and physical activity, researchers found that the link is likely due to light exposure as opposed to physical activity.
Read and colleagues reported in Optometry and Vision Science that they studied 102 children over a 2-week period, collecting light exposure and physical activity measurements with an actigraphy device worn on the children’s wrists.
The researchers found that the 41 myopic children were exposed to significantly less light than the 61 emmetropic children. They also found that there was no significant difference in physical activity between the two groups.
"This suggests the important factor involved in documented associations between myopia and outdoor activity is likely exposure to bright outdoor light rather than greater physical activity," the authors concluded.
Previous studies have suggested a link between myopia and light exposure.
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