As the warmer days are approaching us, with summer not far away, our kids are spending more and more time outside. Outdoor exercise has always been seen as a healthy activity for kids. But, did you know that more time outdoors may also help reduce the risk of nearsightedness in children?!
Studies show that natural light may be essential for normal eye development in kids. A study determined that for each additional hour children spent outdoors per week, the risk of nearsightedness in children dropped by about two percent. A second study found that when schoolchildren were required to spend 80 minutes of recess time outdoors every day, fewer of them became nearsighted when compared to children who were not required to spend recess outdoors.
Though researchers don’t yet know exactly why outdoor time is beneficial, they think it’s probably related to exposure to daylight rather than to playing sports or other specific activities. Always remember that no matter how long your child is outside, to always provide them with tools to protect them from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light as it can damage eyes and skin.
