Playing outdoor games could boost your kid s eyesight

London Dec 28 (IANS) Worried that your kid s eyesight might deteriorate because of endless hours spent on smartphones gaming consoles computers and tablets? Take heart spending just two hours a day outdoors playing any sport in the sunlight might help experts suggest.

Myopia -- also known as nearsightedness and shortsightedness -- is a condition of the eye where the light that enters the eye does not directly focus on the retina but in front of it.

This causes the image that one sees -- when looking at a distant object -- to be out of focus. It does not affect focus when looking at a close object.

According to experts lack of natural light is the key behind the condition.

"The main factor seems to be a lack of exposure to direct sunlight because children who study a lot and who use computers or smartphones or tablet computers a lot have less opportunity to run around outside and are less exposed to sunshine " Annegret Dahlmann-Noor consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London was quoted as saying to BBC Health.

While stopping or limiting screen time use may be a big task for parents the best thing to do say the experts is to get children playing outside as much as possible.

"We know that myopia or short-sightedness is becoming more common " Chris Hammond professor at King s College London was quoted as saying to BBC Health.

"Protective of myopia development is time outdoors -- sport and leisure outdoors are protective of eyesight " Hammond said.

"Probably on average across the week and the weekend two hours a day outdoors is protective of becoming short-sighted in children " he noted.

Further a diet rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids and vitamins A C and E and nutrients are good for the back of the eye.

Regular annual eye checks can also help experts suggested.

--IANS
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