The myopia boom (2015) • Hacker News Board

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#21

Post by pmichaud » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 7:41 PM UTC

openasocket wrote: post #5

betterfuture wrote: post #3

I can only imagine the problem getting much worse in the future. Wherever I go, I see kids of all ages hooked on cell-phones - either on mobile games, youtube videos or on instagram/snapchat. This is probably significantly cutting down their natural light exposure.

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.

Screens have glare. When I read a book I want basically all the light I can get, eg. being outside is fine. When I'm on a screen, it needs to be dim around me so I can see.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#22

Post by woolvalley » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 7:43 PM UTC

ikeaman wrote: post #18

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.

You make it outdoors detention, where they sit and watch other kids play.

I don't know whats more cruel.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#23

Post by simonebrunozzi » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 7:55 PM UTC

Any article about myopia which doesn't mention anything about nutrition is "shortsighted" (pun intended).

One of the most interesting discussions around causes for myopia is centered on nutrition, and how growing faster than our ancestors can negatively effect our vision.

I looked for a specific reference to share here (something I've read years ago), but I didn't find it.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#24

Post by woodpanel » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 8:15 PM UTC

What about Hyperopia?

If sunlight exposure is the cause of too long eyeballs, shouldn't kids which are at hereditary risk of developing too short eyeballs be put in darkrooms?

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#25

Post by iamwil » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 8:15 PM UTC

jcoffland wrote: post #8

koverda wrote: post #4

What if we make cellphone screens which emit 10,000 lux? Boom. Problem solved.

And the battery would last for 5 mins.

Not if it weighs 20 lbs.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#26

Post by inetknght » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 8:53 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."…

> would you _really_ otherwise be going outside to spend time with people, and in such a capacity that cell phone use could replace it?

I spent quite a healthy childhood being outdoors. That mostly stopped when I became addicted to computers and electronics.

Without them I'd be outdoors again.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#27

Post by jacobwilliamroy » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 8:56 PM UTC

I always thought it was because all of the "far away" stuff is outside and a person who spends 90% of their time indoors never has to look at anything far away.

What are the rates of shortsightedness among people living in dense forests (or some other cramped outdoor environment)?

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#28

Post by stevebmark » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 9:48 PM UTC

simonebrunozzi wrote: post #23

Any article about myopia which doesn't mention anything about nutrition is "shortsighted" (pun intended). One of the most interesting discussions around causes for myopia is centered on nutrition, and how growing faster than our ancestors can negatively effect our vision. I looked for a specific reference to share here (something I've read years ago), but I didn't find it.

That's because what you eat has nothing to do with the shape of your eyeball, and there's no scientific basis for bringing this up in the context of myopia

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#29

Post by stevebmark » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 9:55 PM UTC

Sunglasses are something else to consider. There is zero scientific evidence sunglasses protect your vision in any way. (There is suspicion UV exposure can lead to some eye diseases, but it's not a proven link, nor are the mechanisms understood). If increased exposure to sunlight is correlated with better vision, we better revisit our completely non-scientific sunglasses dogma.

Re: The myopia boom (2015)

#30

Post by jimhefferon » Sat, Apr 28, 2018, 10:04 PM UTC

simonebrunozzi wrote: post #23

Any article about myopia which doesn't mention anything about nutrition is "shortsighted" (pun intended). One of the most interesting discussions around causes for myopia is centered on nutrition, and how growing faster than our ancestors can negatively effect our vision. I looked for a specific reference to share here (something I've read years ago), but I didn't find it.

> One of the most interesting discussions around causes for myopia is centered on nutrition

Did you read the article? It asserts that the change in percentage of people who need glasses is startlingly fast. Much too fast to be explained by nutrition changes. It is time spent outdoors.