Myopia study gives pupils a glimpse of the great outdoors

By Grace Chua, The Straits Times, 12 Apr 2012

CHILDREN have been encouraged to see the great outdoors in a whole new light, as part of a study into short-sightedness.

More than half of Singapore's 10-year-olds are myopic, and the condition has long been linked to spending too much time indoors.

So to test this theory, a group of youngsters were taken on a series of guided walks in different parks around the island. Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Duke-NUS graduate medical school are now studying the data on the children to try to gauge the effect of more time spent outdoors.

They believe that the higher light levels outdoors cause youngsters' pupils to constrict so that images reaching the eye are clear and focused. This may prevent myopia.

In other studies done on chicks, bright light triggers the release of dopamine, a chemical that helps the eye to develop normally.

The $200,000 study, funded by the National Medical Research Council, was carried out between last May and February this year. It involved 285 primary school- aged children, half of whom visited a different park each weekend for guided tours and games.

These children were taken to nature spots in locations ranging from Punggol to Pasir Ris, and forested areas such as the MacRitchie Reservoir Park.

They were given pedometers to measure their steps and presented with gift vouchers if they walked far enough.

Those who recorded enough steps on their pedometers received vouchers for shops such as Toys R Us.

As a result, they spent three hours more outside a week than the other half of the group, who did not go on the visits. All of the youngsters were given free eye checks and referred to doctors if necessary.

Previous studies have linked lower myopia rates to outdoor activities. It is believed that the greater exposure to natural light and more time spent looking at distant objects while outdoors may be the reasons.

Singapore is known as the 'myopia capital of the world', and has one of the highest rates of childhood short-sightedness anywhere. It desperately needs ways to prevent its children from becoming short-sighted, said lead researcher Saw Seang Mei of the university's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.

Although the researchers are still analysing how getting out and about affects the chance of developing myopia, the study appears to have had other positive side effects.

Nine-year-old Abdul Basitt used to pay little attention to birds and insects before taking part in the study, said his mother, Madam Nurul Ithnin, 51.

'Now when he sees snails and millipedes, he gets excited. And he could identify a kingfisher from its call,' she said.

Madam Nurul, who works in sales, said more guided talks and structured programmes should be made available to children so they do not become bored.

To prove definitively that spending a longer period outdoors protects children from developing myopia over time, the researchers are seeking funding for a larger, longer study of about 2,000 pupils at 10 primary schools. They also want to look into whether more school-based outdoor programmes could help.