Lifestyle Blamed for Rise in Myopia in East Asia

[dArKeR]

LONDON (Reuters) - A rise in myopia, or nearsightedness, in east Asia is due to lifestyle changes and not genetics, a science magazine said on Wednesday.

Genetic variations that make people more susceptible to myopia were thought to be the cause of the increase in the vision problem in countries such as Singapore and Japan where cases have risen sharply.

But Ian Morgan, of the Australian National University in Canberra, said there is no evidence to support the genetic theory and added that the rise in myopia is due to lifestyle changes, particularly hours spent indoors reading or in front of a computer or television.

"Children now spend much of their time focusing on close objects, such as books or computers," New Scientist magazine said. "To compensate, the eyeball is thought to grow longer. That way less effort is needed to focus up close, but the elongated eye can no longer focus on distant objects."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040707/hl_nm/health_myopia_dc_1

Just after graduating from college and then to work for Lockheed Missiles and Space Company and working on a computer all day, I noticed my vision getting worse. The Doc gave me some glasses which really enable me to focus well on distant objects and especially at night. I'm really a sensitive and the glasses bothered and 'hurt' my nose and ears (especially). I read up a little on eyesight. It really wasn't the mild discomfort, I just wanted to force my eyes to exercise more and NOT get used to glasses so I stopped wearing them. I also always did outdoor activities where I had to focus near/far constantly.

At the DU I propose we all do our DU Duty each day then start local softball teams and get out and exercise our eyes, bodies and minds!

[Arugula Latte]

1. Oh wow.

I've been severely nearsighted since 5th grade. I guess I'll blame all those "Little House on the Prairie" and Marguerite Henry horse story books!

I've also always wondered why nearsightedness survived evolution; it always struck me as a condition that would put you on the fast track to being eaten by a cheetah or something.

[HereSince1628]

2. Read Misty for me...

Or maybe Sea Star, or Inherit the Wind . . .

Ok, myopia stinks. But the idea that reading "Misty" is responsible for nearsightedness breaks my heart.

I bird watch and practice archery both recommended by a childhood friend who is an "eye doctor." They seem to make little difference.

I still need to take off my glasses to get a screwdriver onto a screw, and I can no longer tell a marsh sparrow from a song sparrow using my eyes.