By 2025 researchers predict that half of the world's population will be short-sighted and need glasses to see properly. The number of short-sighted children in the UK has doubled since 1960.
Recent research shows that the usually cited culprits - TV and computers - are almost certainly not to blame. The true cause is almost certainly lack of sunshine. In Singapore, 29% of children are short sighted and only play outside for three hours a week. In Australia only around 3% of children have myopia and play outside for 13 hours a week.
Time in sunlight appears to be crucial in keeping eyes healthy, especially in children. Time in the sun triggers the release of a substance called dopamine from the back of the eye, which seems to help the eye grow normally. So get children playing outside more often.
Interestingly, dopamine is a chemical that is lacking in Parkinsons disease.
Dr. Stuart Farrimond in Wiltshire Times issue Friday 16 September 2016, p.45. You can read his blog at www.realdoctorstu.com
