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British researchers have found that spending time outdoors in children reduces the risk of developing short-sightedness, or myopia, writes the BBC.

Cambridge University researchers analyzed data obtained in eight previous studies of vision in children. The total number of participants in these studies exceeded 10 thousand people. They presented the results of the analysis at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Florida. As it turned out, short-sighted children spend an average of 3.7 hours a week outdoors less than their peers with far-sightedness or normal vision. Every additional hour a week spent outdoors reduces the risk of developing short-sightedness by two percent. The exact reason for this relationship has not yet been identified. Study leader Justin Sherwin suggested that the main factors in the positive effect of walks on vision could be looking at distant objects, exposure to natural ultraviolet light, and physical activity. The scientist emphasized that children's time outdoors should be balanced. At the same time, measured walks reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis and other diseases.