Friday, May 04, 2012

Asian Youth Going Blind. No, It's Not What You Think.

All work and no play makes Johnny a blind boy.  BBC reports that kids in major Asian cities are losing their eyesight - to studying.

Up to 90% of school leavers in major Asian cities are suffering from myopia - short-sightedness - a study suggests.

Researchers say the "extraordinary rise" in the problem is being caused by students working very hard in school and missing out on outdoor light.

The scientists told the Lancet that up to one in five of these students could experience severe visual impairment and even blindness.

In the UK, the average level of myopia is between 20% and 30%.
According to Professor Ian Morgan, who led this study and is from the Australian National University, 20-30% was once the average among people in South East Asia as well.
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3 comments:

  1. Anyong2:36 PM, May 04, 2012

    How true, how true. Nine out of ten South Korea has miopia

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  2. The Mound of Sound3:01 PM, May 04, 2012

    Are they setting themselves up for long-term national problems?

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  3. Paul Morrison7:50 AM, May 05, 2012

    I have also noticed how many Asian kids here in Toronto are wearing glasses. Not so prevalent in the Tamil community, though - I wonder what is the reason for the difference...?

    ReplyDelete