A new study from the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science and Canadian nonprofit CNIB has found myopia is occurring at an earlier onset age in today's children, which may result in a much greater decline in their eyesight over their lifetime compared to other generations.
In the study — which included children from the Waterloo Region District School Board and Waterloo Catholic District School Board — researchers found nearsightedness increased from six percent to 28.9 percent between the ages of six and 13. According to researchers, while historically myopia started at age 12 or 13, they are now seeing it more often in children ages six or seven.
Researchers also found children of a parent with myopia have more than double the risk of developing it themselves. However, researchers also found that spending one additional hour per week outdoors significantly lowered the odds of children becoming nearsighted.
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Source: University of Waterloo