Getting outside might benefit kids' eyes

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-08-14 01:00

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Getting kids out in the midday sunlight for at least 15 minutes could help them avoid needing glasses, say Chinese researchers. The team strapped close to 3000 kids with smartwatches and kept track of how long they were outdoors, and compared the results with their eye health. They found the kids who spent at least 15 minutes outside in the bright sun - at least the brightness of a midday sun on a clear day - to be less likely to experience a shift towards nearsightedness. While this kind of study cannot directly prove that the sun helped prevent the kids' eyesight degrading, it's probably still a good idea to get your kids out for a bit of daylight.