Myopia development

Dr Kathryn Saunders from the University of Ulster was recently talking on BBC 4’s Today programme about the latest research in the development of myopia in children.

Recent research has suggested that exposure to sunlight has a protective effect against myopia.

A large scale study comparing myopia in Northern Ireland to myopia in Australia found that children in Northern Ireland were 3 times more likely to become short-sighted during their teenage years. The difference couldn’t be explained by other factors, so the suggestion is that sunlight plays a protective role against myopia.

Further research is needed to determine why this is the case. And it is important to remember U.V can also damage the health of the eyes so remember to wear sunglasses.