5 Topic Commentaries

Does Exercise Inhibit Myopia Progression in Children?

• 

  Jeffrey J. Walline, OD, PhD

  Optometry; Myopia research

  •

  The Ohio State University College of Optometry

  In theory, more light causes more dopamine release in the retina, which slows eye growth.

  Source
• 

  Donald O. Mutti, OD, PhD

  Optometry; Vision science

  •

  The Ohio State University College of Optometry

  To me, the best evidence is that it’s simply the brightness of being outdoors,

  Source
• 

  Elise Harb, OD, PhD

  Pediatric Optometry; Vision Science

  •

  University of California, Berkeley

  It’s not clear if it’s because of light exposure or that time outdoors means less time spent on nearsighted tasks.

  Source
• 

  Margaret Overstreet, OD

  Pediatric Optometry

  •

  Oregon Health & Science University, Casey Eye Institute

  Not only are kids needing to get glasses sooner, but the more time people spend indoors and doing near work can increase the rate of myopia progression.

  Source
• 

  Eric J. Kim, MD

  Pediatric Ophthalmology

  •

  Mayo Clinic School of Medicine (Rochester, Minnesota)

  There’s been a big population study out of Asia that increased the amount of children’s time outside by just 40 minutes a day during recess activities. And it shows that that itself helped decrease the amount of myopia progression or worsening.

  Source