Exposure to natural light helps delay the onset of myopia, as the eyes respond to light intensity by activating protective mechanisms, explains a study published Wednesday in Acta Ophtalmologica.
Led by the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), the research shows that outdoor activities significantly reduce or delay the onset of myopia in children and adolescents.
The article specifies that the analysis observes differences in the spherical equivalent of 0.16 diopters per year, with sustained effects for up to three years.
Based on the existing evidence, we recommend at least two hours a day of outdoor exposure, preferably with light intensities greater than 10,000 lux, to maximize the protective effects against myopia, said Miguel Angel Sanchez Tena, researcher at the UCM Department of Optometry and Vision and one of the authors.
Integrating these outings into school and extracurricular routines could play a crucial role in reducing the incidence of myopia onset, he adds.
The study included 16,597 participants aged six to 18 years, and observed a mean difference in axial length of -0.08 mm per year and a difference in spherical equivalent of 0.16 diopters per year, with effects sustained for up to three years.
Regarding regional differences, the researchers highlight significant variations in the effectiveness of outdoor activities as a function of environmental and socioeconomic factors.
In regions with higher natural light intensity, the protective effects against myopia are more pronounced due to exposure to light levels. On the other hand, in densely populated urban areas, where green spaces and natural light are more limited, the effectiveness of these activities may be reduced.
In densely populated urban areas, where green spaces and natural light are more limited, the effectiveness of these activities may be reduced.
With information from Prensa Latina
Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernández
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