Newsletter

Posted Jan. 5, 2024

Following trends may lead to blindness. I know that’s a crazy statement, but I’m not referring to social or political trends. Eye doctors are reporting that the number of kids suffering from severe myopia or near-sightedness (blurriness at a distance) is skyrocketing. Even though they could see the trend over the last 15 years, the “why” was elusive. After extensive testing, they found that it wasn’t genetics. Finally the head of optometry research at OSU figured it out. Too much extended close looking and poor lighting.

In Japan and China, the myopia pandemic has been particularly hard hit (80%). They are making profound lifestyle changes. American kids are at 50%. Japan and China put a heavy emphasis on studying to get ahead. Kids were always reading, working on problems and studying. All that close eye work was causing eye damage. Now schools are requiring mandatory recess time to give the eyes a break.

The research showed that a much higher light level (preferably Natural light) needs to be maintained. Also that kids should be outdoors at least 2 hours a day to focus on distant objects. This is especially tough during the winter. Kids leave for school early and arrive home as the sun is setting. NE Ohio is especially tough because we have so much cloud cover during the winter.

Here are my thoughts:

1 When reading or other activities that require heavy eye usage (Computer games), make sure the kids are at least 2 feet away from books, paperwork or screens. This is longer than most of their arms, so it is tough. If they can’t read clearly at that distance, it’s time for an eye checkup. When you are hunched over to read – books or screens – it is also impacting your posture which can lead to other health problems.

2 Teach your kids to look up every couple of minutes and focus on something that is farther away. This will give your eyes a well needed rest. There are tiny muscles around the eye lens that allow the eye to focus on objects at different distances. Hold your arm out in front of you. It won’t be long before your arm needs a rest. Different muscles are taking turns holding up your arm, but eventually they all get tired and need a break. The same is happening with your eyes.

3 Increase the brightness and quality of the light. Teach your kids how to make the light come over their shoulder so it doesn’t glare off the surface into their eyes. Use full spectrum lighting if possible. Keep it bright but also don’t have a dark background

4 Spend time outdoors, even in the winter. Research shows kids (and you too) need to be outdoors at least 2 hours a day. Bundle up – you can do it!

5 Your eyes need sunlight! Unless you are being blinded by glare off the snow, try to avoid sunglasses. “But they make me look cool, mysterious.” Eyes need the natural rays of the sun. I’m not talking about looking directly at the sun, but letting the sun energy bounce off objects and into your eyes. Sunglasses and auto-tinting glasses defeat that. I haven’t used sunglasses in years and I’m outdoors almost every day, especially in the summer. Yes it’s bright, but my eyes can handle it.

When I ran across this crisis, I had no idea that their final analysis would be to get outside for at least 14 hours a week. That’s what we are all about at Discovery Park. Need ideas? Look up “1000 hours outdoors” for lots of great ideas.

That’s what good play is all about.

No directions, nobody telling you that
“you can’t do it that way”.

It’s pure discovery!