All About Kids' Eye-sight

[super_dad]

Original Title: Glasses and kids

I see more and more children sporting glasses. I think this trend is growing at an alarming rate. In fact, it is almost becoming the norm. I see the schools are teaching children to take "eye break". But I suspect the main culprits to be mobiles phones. I myself after using mobile phones to play games, find my eyesight going squiggly after a while.

Anyone's child already wearing glasses here?

[ChiefKiasu]

I see more and more children sporting glasses. I think this trend is growing at an alarming rate. In fact, it is almost becoming the norm. I see the schools are teaching children to take "eye break". But I suspect the main culprits to be mobiles phones. I myself after using mobile phones to play games, find my eyesight going squiggly after a while.

Anyone's child already wearing glasses here?

According to this NUS research paper, there is a high correlation between myopia and high IQ.

Quote from the paper:
"An interesting observation is that nonverbal IQ may be a stronger risk factor for myopia compared with books read per week...

Singapore Chinese children aged 8 to 12 years witn association with myopia independent of near work in young Singapore students, though the mechanism underlying the nonverbal IQ-myopia relationship is not well understood. An interesting observation is that myopia (SE at least 0.5 D) is not significantly associated with books read per week, after controlling for other confounders, including IQ. Higher myopia (SE at least 3.0 D), however, remains associated with books read per week, after controlling for other factors, including IQ."

In English for the rest of us, it simply says that

1. A naturally smart kid is more likely to be myopic, not just because he/she reads more books per week, or because he/she has smarter parents;

2. Reading lots of books does not necessarily improve non-verbal IQ, but may be a cause of deeper myopia of > 3.0D

A bit convoluted, but interesting findings.

[phantom]

I though kids now wear more classes because they watch too much TV or play too much computers

[jedamum]

no because of the suspicion that the black/white board used in school is too reflective?

[jedamum]

I though kids now wear more classes because they watch too much TV or play too much computers

not to forget, rich parents buy their kids PSP as young as P1.

[mintcc]

I tot its because you read books in the dark, read book with the eye too close to the book or read book while lying down?

[super_dad]

Well...the papers also say that inflation is only 4%....and all food prices have increased reasonably. But somehow a 2.50 chicken rice becoming 3...is not quite 4%.

[phantom]

Basically seems like there are lots of reasons, but I don't understand why Singapore children myopia rate is one of the highest in the world. I worried for my kid, hope they don't ear glasses

[super_dad]

Just saw 2 young kids playing with PSP while having dinner. But PSP is quite ok, as the screen is quite big. But still, I think prolong use with the eyes transfixed to the screen at a short distance, will affect the eyesight to a certain degree..

[phantom]

Maybe the lack of eye exercise is the cause of myopia, need to frequently shift focus between near and far view, suppose that helps to relax the eyes. Heard looking at green trees also helps to prevent myopia. Not sure how true that is