The myopia boom (2015) • Hacker News Board

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#11

Post by therein » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 6:26 PM UTC

abledon wrote: post #9

There was a thread on here recently about the Trades Industry, and many people warned that even though you are up and using your body, not looking at a screen 8hours a day, there are still back injuries etc related to that mobile profession. I suppose though on average non-sedentary jobs with minimal indoor computer screen jobs have a lower rate of myopia increase.. Is it worth the pay raise to work in tech if our ey…

They are actually getting there, see the Dasung Paperlike E-Ink Monitor for instance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9DbdaPQyLY

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#12

Post by matte_black » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 6:37 PM UTC

inetknght wrote: post #6

openasocket wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would cell phone use cut down on natural light exposure compared to books or TV? The whole point of a cell phone is that you can use it anywhere, including outside. Based on the thesis of this article, all you need to do is play on your cell phone while you're outside to prevent myopia.

I use my cell phone a lot more indoors than outdoors. I don't go outdoors because my cell phone enables me to connect with people indoors when I would normally be required to go outdoors to connect with them without a cell phone.

When I was a young child I was on my computer or playing video games on a TV all day, rarely going outdoors. When I got my first smartphone, it was actually very liberating. Now I could be outside anywhere, and still surf the internet and play any number of games at any time.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#13

Post by bastawhiz » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 6:49 PM UTC

inetknght wrote: post #6

openasocket wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why would cell phone use cut down on natural light exposure compared to books or TV? The whole point of a cell phone is that you can use it anywhere, including outside. Based on the thesis of this article, all you need to do is play on your cell phone while you're outside to prevent myopia.

I use my cell phone a lot more indoors than outdoors. I don't go outdoors because my cell phone enables me to connect with people indoors when I would normally be required to go outdoors to connect with them without a cell phone.

> I would normally be required to go outdoors to connect with them without a cell phone.

Forgive me for being a pedant and a devil's advocate, but would you _really_ otherwise be going outside to spend time with people, and in such a capacity that cell phone use could replace it?

When I think of "spending time outside with people," I think, "afternoon in the park" or "at a restaurant or cafe on a patio" or "hiking." I can't think of any outdoor activities with other people that would otherwise could be supplanted by cell phone use. Playing the Facebook messenger basketball isn't going to replace a walk with a friend.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#14

Post by Kluny » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 6:57 PM UTC

abledon wrote: post #9

There was a thread on here recently about the Trades Industry, and many people warned that even though you are up and using your body, not looking at a screen 8hours a day, there are still back injuries etc related to that mobile profession. I suppose though on average non-sedentary jobs with minimal indoor computer screen jobs have a lower rate of myopia increase.. Is it worth the pay raise to work in tech if our ey…

I guess living kills you.

We should all try to be more like Jeanne Calment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Calment

She was well educated in France with a liberal arts degree, married well and never had to work, went mountaineering with her husband on holidays, hosted German soliders during the second world war but didn't mind it very much, spent her mornings in prayer, had an elaborate skincare routine, smoked, drank, ate lots of chocolate and rode her bicycle every day right up until the end at age 122.

Basically, fuck working.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#15

Post by colordrops » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 7:15 PM UTC

I don't have any real evidence, but anecdotally I suspect that diet also has an effect on vision. Could be just a coincidence, but my vision declined as a child during a period when I was regularly stuffing myself with sweets, and know others with similar experience.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#16

Post by c22 » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 7:23 PM UTC

colordrops wrote: post #15

I don't have any real evidence, but anecdotally I suspect that diet also has an effect on vision. Could be just a coincidence, but my vision declined as a child during a period when I was regularly stuffing myself with sweets, and know others with similar experience.

Another anecdote: I've consumed on average multiple cans of soda a day since I was in highschool, and while this habit has had a disastrous impact on my health I have always had exceptionally good vision (I can read the bottom line on the eye chart).

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#17

Post by pyronite » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 7:23 PM UTC

colordrops wrote: post #15

I don't have any real evidence, but anecdotally I suspect that diet also has an effect on vision. Could be just a coincidence, but my vision declined as a child during a period when I was regularly stuffing myself with sweets, and know others with similar experience.

Is the diet in East Asian countries (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore & South Korea) significantly worse than it was in the 1920s? As the article details, myopia is increasingly common in China as well. The Chinese suffered numerous famines between 1920 and 1960.

I'm sure diet plays some role in eye health, but nutrition has likely improved in all of the countries they're discussing.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#18

Post by ikeaman » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 7:25 PM UTC

After reading this article, I think it's borderline cruelty to give adolescents detention during recess for misbehavior. If anything, this enables more pent up behaviors which could lead to myopia.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#19

Post by 77pt77 » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 7:32 PM UTC

matte_black wrote: post #12

inetknght wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use my cell phone a lot more indoors than outdoors. I don't go outdoors because my cell phone enables me to connect with people indoors when I would normally be required to go outdoors to connect with them without a cell phone.

When I was a young child I was on my computer or playing video games on a TV all day, rarely going outdoors. When I got my first smartphone, it was actually very liberating. Now I could be outside anywhere, and still surf the internet and play any number of games at any time.

I use my smart-phone to listen to audio-books and pod-casts while I walk.

In that respect it would improve my chances, though not at my age.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#20

Post by yomly » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 7:33 PM UTC

bastawhiz wrote: post #13

inetknght wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use my cell phone a lot more indoors than outdoors. I don't go outdoors because my cell phone enables me to connect with people indoors when I would normally be required to go outdoors to connect with them without a cell phone.

> I would normally be required to go outdoors to connect with them without a cell phone. Forgive me for being a pedant and a devil's advocate, but would you _really_ otherwise be going outside to spend time with people, and in such a capacity that cell phone use could replace it? When I think of "spending time outside with people," I think, "afternoon in the park" or "at a restaurant or cafe on a patio" or "hiking."…

My understanding is that myopia onset is linked with natural light exposure in preteen-adolescent years. While there is always going to be some segment of people who stay in (who are likely overrepresented on HN) there would have been plenty of children playing sports or playing in dirt who nowadays are on their mobiles, probably indoors because the sun glares the screen.