Shortsightedness has become an epidemic • Hacker News Board

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#221

Post by mdp2021 » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:29 PM UTC

Asraelite wrote: post #97

simonh wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All novel linguistic constructs are 'misuses' in some sense or another that have become accepted. In this case that's not so though, the etymology is from the Greek '(upon|near|against) the people, and does not necessarily refer only to disease.

Etymology in interesting, but has almost zero relevance in determining how acceptable a use of a word is.

You should probably leave it to the Academies, given that others take the opposite general stance.

What the server /accepts/ is left to configuration (some still recommend, "Strict in formulating the output, loose in interpreting the input"). What is "legitimate" is another matter, and will have to consider the term's curriculum, also because other proposals are faulty (e.g. conventionalism: "/whose/ convention?").

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#222

Post by dsego » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:34 PM UTC

nickbauman wrote: post #220

sandstrom wrote: post #192

For several decades it has been known that myopia (nearsightedness) and intelligence are correlated[1][2]. Initially it was speculated that reading caused nearsightedness, and through that higher intelligence. There is probably some truth to that. But with modern DNA sequencing techniques researches has found genes that seem to affect both[3][4]. The hypothesis is that one (or a set of) genes affects both eye size gr…

I thought the increase in nearsightedness originated in kids not playing outside as much (and thereby not focusing their eyes over longer distances) resulting in eyesight that's more attuned to shorter distances.

I've read that the amount of natural light is important, and that the light inside buildings and houses is not sufficient. Children should spend more hours outside.

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#223

Post by shrimp_emoji » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:39 PM UTC

zeroth32 wrote: post #8

Quoted post unavailable.

... No... this has been happening for decades.

In East Asia, the vast majority of people are now nearsighted, which has been a fun fact long before anyone even heard of COVID.

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#224

Post by delecti » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:40 PM UTC

nickbauman wrote: post #220

sandstrom wrote: post #192

For several decades it has been known that myopia (nearsightedness) and intelligence are correlated[1][2]. Initially it was speculated that reading caused nearsightedness, and through that higher intelligence. There is probably some truth to that. But with modern DNA sequencing techniques researches has found genes that seem to affect both[3][4]. The hypothesis is that one (or a set of) genes affects both eye size gr…

I thought the increase in nearsightedness originated in kids not playing outside as much (and thereby not focusing their eyes over longer distances) resulting in eyesight that's more attuned to shorter distances.

At least if wikipedia's summary is to be believed, that's one of the less supported of many potential theories. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myopia#Environmental_factors

Their summary seems to suggest that the biggest factor is exposure to daylight. So then even reading outside ought theoretically protect against nearsightedness.

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#225

Post by paulryanrogers » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:41 PM UTC

watwut wrote: post #142

mattlondon wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good luck with the plan :) Under the age of about 1 to 1.5 then you get to call the shots of what happens when. Walk as mu h as you like. After that age, the kids start to get their own opinions and won't always just do what you want them to do. You may want to go for a long walk, but the kid wants to do something else. They'll spend 95% of the time trying to escape the buggy/stroller or trying to run off or just sit…

It is not necessary that bad. I had some fights with kids at that age, but it definitely was not every single time we walked. You are exaggerating how bad it is. What you do is normal at that age. If you walk to store frequently it is normal routine and lead to fights only occasionally. And while kid stops to look at boring things, it is not like they would stop for hours, most of time you nudge them after few second…

> I had some fights with kids at that age, but it definitely was not every single time we walked. You are exaggerating how bad it is.

Every child is unique. Some are more stubborn than others. This is a challenge with any parenting advice because there is so much variance. My experience is my kids do fight or linger every time despite the routine and nudges.

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#226

Post by mdp2021 » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:41 PM UTC

nend wrote: post #219

viktoracoric wrote: post #198

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Quoted post unavailable.

That's the cool thing about science, it can't be refuted by one person's anecdotal experiences.

Science is the adaptive theoretical system digesting anomalies.

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#227

Post by thaumasiotes » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:42 PM UTC

paulryanrogers wrote: post #209

thaumasiotes wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes; among other reasons, sunlight reflecting off the white pages of a book is bright enough to injure your eyes. The basic Kindle model is grey and can be comfortably read in sunlight, and yet somehow people are convinced that the "PaperWhite" model is better...

Perhaps some people read significantly more indoors or shade than direct sunlight

The grey background doesn't make it any harder to read. It's just less bright.

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#228

Post by bombcar » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:43 PM UTC

dsego wrote: post #222

nickbauman wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I thought the increase in nearsightedness originated in kids not playing outside as much (and thereby not focusing their eyes over longer distances) resulting in eyesight that's more attuned to shorter distances.

I've read that the amount of natural light is important, and that the light inside buildings and houses is not sufficient. Children should spend more hours outside.

If you have a light meter (on a camera or phone or standalone) it’s amazing how “dim” even the brightest indoor lights are.

Full flood wash on a stage is nothing compared to the power of the sun.

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#229

Post by d0mine » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:43 PM UTC

sandstrom wrote: post #192

For several decades it has been known that myopia (nearsightedness) and intelligence are correlated[1][2]. Initially it was speculated that reading caused nearsightedness, and through that higher intelligence. There is probably some truth to that. But with modern DNA sequencing techniques researches has found genes that seem to affect both[3][4]. The hypothesis is that one (or a set of) genes affects both eye size gr…

This should be easy to answer: we are not smarter in the recent decades (the opposite is likely true due to the leaded petrol). The natural selection for smartness is too weak in humans (it does not take much brain to reproduce nowadays).

The hypothesis in TFA is much more likely (regular exposure to bright daylight in children)

Re: Shortsightedness has become an epidemic

#230

Post by JoBrad » Sun, Jun 12, 2022, 1:44 PM UTC

sandstrom wrote: post #192

For several decades it has been known that myopia (nearsightedness) and intelligence are correlated[1][2]. Initially it was speculated that reading caused nearsightedness, and through that higher intelligence. There is probably some truth to that. But with modern DNA sequencing techniques researches has found genes that seem to affect both[3][4]. The hypothesis is that one (or a set of) genes affects both eye size gr…

The last study says “myopic children regardless of their IQ gain better school achievement”. This makes me think the difference is cultural vs genetic.