🌞 Can More Time Outdoors Help Prevent Myopia?

What the Research Says About Outdoor Light and Children’s Eye Health

Myopia (short-sightedness) is on the rise — especially in children. But one of the simplest ways to help protect your child’s vision might be right outside your door: natural daylight.

Over the last two decades, researchers have found a strong link between time spent outdoors and a lower risk of developing myopia in children. Here’s what the studies show — and why it matters for your family.

📚 The Research: Singapore vs Australia

A landmark study compared children living in Singapore and Australia, two countries with very different lifestyles and myopia rates.

Children in Singapore — where myopia rates are among the highest in the world — spent an average of just 61 minutes per day outdoors, while their Australian counterparts averaged over 100 minutes per day.

The results?

• Singaporean children had significantly higher rates of myopia
  
  

• Less time in bright outdoor light was identified as a major contributing factor
  
  

This study, along with others, suggests that natural light exposure plays a key role in regulating healthy eye growth during childhood.

🔬 How Does Outdoor Time Help?

Outdoor light levels are up to 100 times brighter than indoor lighting, even on cloudy days. Bright light is believed to trigger dopamine release in the retina, which helps prevent the eye from growing too long — the main cause of myopia.

It’s not about structured sport or activity — even free play outside counts!

🌍 Other Global Studies Confirm the Trend

• In another study comparing Chinese children in Sydney vs Singapore, those living in Australia (with more outdoor time) had a dramatically lower rate of myopia, despite having a similar genetic background.
  
  

• A large trial in Shanghai found that giving children extra outdoor time at school each day reduced the number of new myopia cases over two years.
  
  

• The SCORM study in Singapore also found that children who spent more time outdoors had shorter axial lengths (a measure linked with lower myopia risk).
  
  

⏱️ So How Much Outdoor Time Do Kids Need?

Experts recommend at least 2 hours per day outdoors to help protect against developing myopia.

That could include:

• Walking or biking to school
  
  

• Outdoor breaks during school hours
  
  

• Family walks, sports, or playtime in the garden or park
  
  

👁️ Outdoor Time Helps Prevent — But Not Treat

It’s important to know that outdoor time is most effective for preventing or delaying the onset of myopia. If your child is already short-sighted, additional outdoor time alone is unlikely to stop progression.

That’s where myopia management treatments come in — including:

• Specialised glasses
  
  

• Daily myopia control contact lenses
  
  

• Overnight lenses (orthokeratology)
  
  

• Axial length monitoring and lifestyle advice
  
  

✅ What You Can Do as a Parent

• Encourage your child to spend 2+ hours outside every day
  
  

• Take regular breaks from screens and near work
  
  

• Book regular eye exams from an optometrist trained in myopia management
  
  

• If your child is already myopic, ask about treatment options to slow progression
  
  

👓 Ready to Take Action?

At Midlands Myopia, we offer evidence-based myopia management programs tailored to your child’s needs — including advanced eye assessments and treatment plans that include lifestyle guidance like outdoor activity.

📞 Call 01246 275847 or
📧 Email vision@midlandsmyopia.com to book your child’s appointment.