Look around you, how many of your classmates and friends are wearing glasses? A study by Australian National University, which was reported by the BBC, says that Asia has the most shortsighted students in the world; nine out of ten graduates of schools in Asian cities were shortsighted. The main reason: they weren't getting enough sunlight.
According to the study, primary school students in Singapore spend only 30 minutes outdoors every day. In Australia kids spend about three hours a day outside. As a result, fewer children in Australia are nearsighted—only 10 percent, compared to 90 percent in Singapore.
Eye experts believe that a person is shortsighted if his or her vision is blurred (模糊的)beyond 2 meters. People become shortsighted because their eyeballs grow out of shape and light entering their eyes cannot focus correctly. The body can produce a chemical called dopamine (多巴胺) to stop eyeballs from changing shape. Sunlight can help our bodies produce more dopamine.
"Children in Asia basically go to school, go home and stay inside, " Alan Morgan of the Australian National University told AFP. "They study and they watch television. "
But being a bookworm or a couch potato does not directly harm the eyes, he added. "As long as they get outside, it doesn't seem to matter how much studying they do, " he explained. "There are some kids who study hard and get outside and play hard and they are generally fine. The ones who are at major risk are the ones who study hard and don't get outside. "
Experts say children should go outside for two to three hours every day. This can include time spent in the playground and walking to and from school.
Title: eyes need more sunlight. |
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The findings of the study |
One out of ten graduates of school in Asian cities, were not shortsighted. |
Fewer children in Australia are nearsighted, they can get enough sunlight everyday. |
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A person is shortsighted if his or her vision is blurred 2 meters. |
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The advice eye experiment |
Children should go outside for two to three hours every day. As long as they get outside, the ones who study hard are at major risk. |