More outdoor time could stop or slow nearsightedness from worsening and is associated with better school performance!
"He should spend more time on his schoolwork, as he's been playing outside since after school in the name of managing his nearsightedness," my wife shared concernedly. "I worry that he might end up too tired, potentially affecting his grades."
This apprehension is shared by many other parents. Striking a balance between their children's academic pursuits and eye health poses a real-world dilemma.Â
The American Academy of Ophthalmology Refractive Errors Preferred Practice Pattern underscored the significance of spending more time outdoors and summarized that "increasing time spent outdoors significantly decreased risk of myopic progression."1
So, does outdoor time really affect school grades? Do children who spend more time outdoors don’t do as well?
What is the impact of outdoor time on school grades?
A new study published in the academic journal BMC Public Health indicated that outdoor activity didn’t hinder school performance in young children. In fact, the results demonstrated that outdoor play was positively associated with better grades.2
The research team objectively measured outdoor time in over 3,000 elementary schoolers ages 6-9 years old. The children were given special wristwatches to wear that tracked time spent outdoors over a 10-month period. This data was then analyzed along with the grades of the students.
"A total of 2.3 h per day, outdoor time was positively associated with academic performance," explained the first author of the publication, Dr. Xiangui He of the Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center.2
This finding contradicts a commonly held belief that outdoor activities would cut into study time and impact academic outcomes, leading to some parents struggling to balance their children’s school work and outdoor time.
Results from the study also showed that more than 2.3 hours of daily outdoor activity did not negatively impact children's school performance, nor did it further help.2
Researchers hypothesize exposure to natural light during outdoor play may stimulate brain activity and focus, enhancing learning capacity. Time outdoors also provides a break from classroom lessons, which could improve attention span.2Â
It is important to note this study only shows a correlation between outdoor time and grades. Further research is still needed to determine whether more outdoor activity directly causes better academic outcomes.2
What is the optimal amount of daylight for nearsightedness?
In a 2017 study evaluating 693 grade one students from 16 schools, those in the intervention group who spent 11 hours per week outdoors with 1,000 to 3,000 lux or more of light exhibited a decrease in myopia progression and axial elongation. And this positive outcome was consistent for both nonmyopic and myopic children.3Â
Furthermore, based on published population-based and interventional studies, the International Myopia Institute recommends children spend at least 80-120 minutes a day outdoors.4
Conclusion
More outdoor time can stop or slow down nearsightedness from worsening, and they don’t need to come at the expense of learning. Playing outdoors two (2) hours a day could actually complement school success.Â
With the new understanding, parents can confidently say, "Go play outside. It's for your grades!"
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- Jacobs, Deborah S et al. “Refractive Errors Preferred Practice Pattern.” Ophthalmology vol. 130,3 (2023): P1-P60.
- Wang, Jingjing et al. “Time outdoors positively associates with academic performance: a school-based study with objective monitoring of outdoor time.” BMC public health vol. 23,1 645. 4 Apr. 2023.
- Wu, Pei-Chang et al. “Myopia Prevention and Outdoor Light Intensity in a School-Based Cluster Randomized Trial.” Ophthalmology vol. 125,8 (2018): 1239-1250.Â
- International Myopia Institute. 2021. IMI Prevention of Myopia and its Progression. Retrieved, Aug 9, 2023. https://myopiainstitute.org/imi-whitepaper/imi-prevention-of-myopia-and-its-progression/
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