A paediatric ophthalmologist has shared one thing that parents can do to prevent short-sightedness in children, and this is a need to know for parents.
Short-sightedness or myopia affects around one in three people in Ireland and although genetics does play a part in your child’s vision, other factors come into play too.
According to Dr Rupa K. Wong, a paediatric ophthalmologist, has revealed one thing that she says is the ‘most powerful tool’ against short-sightedness and you may be surprised.
‘Powerful tool’ against short-sightedness
While naming ‘hills [she] will die on as a paediatric ophthalmologist on Instagram, Dr Wong said that ‘outdoor time is the most powerful myopia prevention tool we have.’
She continued, telling parents that two hours of ‘bright outdoor light’ every day slows ‘axial eye growth’, which, causes short-sightedness.
The doctor also added that the number one ‘threat’ to your child’s vision isn’t genetics like so many people think. It’s actually too much time spent inside doing ‘close up’ work, especially on screens.
She says that this is ‘driving a myopia epidemic that genetics along cannot explain.’
So there you have it! Two hours of outdoor time per day can help prevent short-sightedness so there’s our excuse to go to the park this evening!
