Avid childhood readers at risk of short sightedness
22 April 2002
Children who read more than 2 books at week are at greater risk of developing short sighted vision than those who read less, according to a large study being presented at the XXIXth International Congress of Ophthalmology in Sydney this week.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore and Singapore Eye Research Institute have been studying 2000 children aged from 7 to 9 for the past 2 years.
They found that children who read more than 2 books a week were 3 times more likely to develop myopia (short sightedness) than those who read fewer books.
They also found that children with the same reading patterns were 10 times more likely to develop myopia if both parents suffered from it.
People who have myopia have poor distant vision and objects appear blurred. They tend to squint if the myopia is left untreated. Their near vision is usually not affected although it can deteriorate with age.
Head of Epidemiology at the Singapore Eye Research Institute Assistant Professor Seang Mei Saw said that the interaction between genes and the environment was significant in increasing people's risk of myopia.
She said the message for parents was not to limit the time children spent reading, but to be more vigilant with eye testing, particularly if there was a family history of myopia.
Assistant Professor Seang Mei Saw said that 'near work' activities, such as reading and computer use, contributed to the development of myopia. Poor night lighting was also an issue.
Incidence of myopia is high in developed countries such as Australia, which have a strong focus on education.
Last Reviewed: 22 April 2002
