Modern World 13
1 According to a study published recently, nearly nine out of ten young adults in East Asian cities are shortsighted and have to wear glasses or use contact lenses. The problem is not a new one. But in the past, scientists believed that the cause of the problem was genetic. In other words, it was thought that poor eyesight was something passed on to East Asian children by their parents.
2 But new research suggests that the problem has a much simpler cause, namely, a lack of sunlight. The sun’s rays are believed to stimulate the production of a chemical called dopamine inside the eyes. The eye works best when it is shaped like a ball. If the eye becomes even a little bit sausage-shaped, the lens cannot focus properly without the help of glasses or contact lenses. This research clearly shows that bright light entering the eye causes dopamine to be released, and that dopamine keeps the eye ball-shaped, and helps to prevent shortsightedness.
3 This research is sure to worry all those who care for children in East Asia. In Singapore, up to nine out of ten young adults are shortsighted. And the average primary school pupil there spends only about 30 minutes outdoors every day. By contrast, Australian children spend an average of three hours a day in the sun. Only 10% of Australian children of European origin are shortsighted. The figure in Britain, which has much less sunshine than Australia, is still only about 35%. In sunny Africa it is almost zero ― in the range of 2% to 3%.
4 The highest number of shortsighted young adults in the world are found in the cities of Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, where between 80% and 90% are affected.
5 The problem has nothing to do with how much time the child actually spends reading or watching television. As long as they get outside for part of the day, it doesn’t seem to matter how much time they spend studying or playing computer games. None of them seems to damage their eyes. The children who are at most risk are the ones who never spend time outside.
6 East Asian countries will have to come up with ways of encouraging children to spend more time in the sun if they want to protect their eyesight.
2 But new research suggests that the problem has a much simpler cause, namely, a lack of sunlight. The sun’s rays are believed to stimulate the production of a chemical called dopamine inside the eyes. The eye works best when it is shaped like a ball. If the eye becomes even a little bit sausage-shaped, the lens cannot focus properly without the help of glasses or contact lenses. This research clearly shows that bright light entering the eye causes dopamine to be released, and that dopamine keeps the eye ball-shaped, and helps to prevent shortsightedness.
3 This research is sure to worry all those who care for children in East Asia. In Singapore, up to nine out of ten young adults are shortsighted. And the average primary school pupil there spends only about 30 minutes outdoors every day. By contrast, Australian children spend an average of three hours a day in the sun. Only 10% of Australian children of European origin are shortsighted. The figure in Britain, which has much less sunshine than Australia, is still only about 35%. In sunny Africa it is almost zero ― in the range of 2% to 3%.
4 The highest number of shortsighted young adults in the world are found in the cities of Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea, where between 80% and 90% are affected.
5 The problem has nothing to do with how much time the child actually spends reading or watching television. As long as they get outside for part of the day, it doesn’t seem to matter how much time they spend studying or playing computer games. None of them seems to damage their eyes. The children who are at most risk are the ones who never spend time outside.
6 East Asian countries will have to come up with ways of encouraging children to spend more time in the sun if they want to protect their eyesight.
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