Massive rise in Asian eye damage

[cake]

Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia - short-sightedness - a study suggests.

Researchers say the "extraordinary rise" in the problem is being caused by students working very hard in school and missing out on outdoor light.

The scientists told the Lancet that up to one in five of these students could experience severe visual impairment and even blindness.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17942181

[akikaki1]

Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia - short-sightedness - a study suggests.

Researchers say the "extraordinary rise" in the problem is being caused by students working very hard in school and missing out on outdoor light.

The scientists told the Lancet that up to one in five of these students could experience severe visual impairment and even blindness.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17942181

Eyewan

[superking]

I thought this was old news? Part of the reason Taiwan is still not a first world country is that they don't have enough electrical light, or so the story goes...

[Steviebike]

One is the reasons cited is the midday nap. That the retina doesn't receive enough light for growth stimulation. Interestingly Spain has a siesta but no significant problem (than other countries that don't siesta). I t could be that in Spain the kids get outside to play a lot more?

Might be controversial, but Taiwan can often seem short-sighted on it's outlook... Maybe there is some irony there?

[Chris]

Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia - short-sightedness - a study suggests.

I'm assuming "school leavers" means "high school graduates" rather than "secondary school or university drop-outs".

But I thought it was it old news that 90% of Taiwan's high school students are myopic because of the constant studying they have to do throughout their childhoods. Ever notice that almost all of them wear glasses?

[Nuit]

I've kicked off at least 2 threads on this in the past. S'all true.
Myopia rules, due to over studying and not enough outdoor exercise.

[Abacus]

It's shocking how many elementary students have glasses. That and flat feet but that's a different thread.

[Icon]

Not only that, but also high incidence of retina damage/eye diseases. I find this very ironic as my boss keeps all curtains drawn "since the sun damages her eyes" but then we have to stare at computers 9 hours a day under fluorescent flickering lights.

[the bear]

Is it not also possible that the glorious Chinese peoples have lucked out in the eye department? Just postulating a hypothesis here, but there's a genetic element to poor eyesight (i.e. it often runs in the family) so its also possible there's a racial element. Feel free to correct me if I'm thinking too far outside the box.

[headhonchoII]

They can easily control for this by using Asian immigrant populations in places like Australia.