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Researchers in Singapore have found that
nearsightedness, or myopia, is more common among the highly
educated and those on the academic fast track.
Educational level and academic achievement
seem to be predictors of myopia. These factors could
be closely related to reading and other "near-work"
activities performed at a close distance.
Nearsightedness is on the rise in developed
nations, particularly Asian countries. In the Singapore army,
for example, the rate of myopia in new recruits has increased
from 26% in the 1970s to 79% in the 1990s.
Although genetics are thought to be important
in determining who becomes nearsighted, the rapid increase
in myopia during the past century suggests that other
factors besides heredity play a major role, the
researchers point out. They suggest one possible explanation
is that near-work activities, such as reading, increase the
risk of myopia.
The investigators found that the odds
of being nearsighted were increased
nearly fourfold among soldiers who had been enrolled
in gifted or accelerated programs in school. Having finished
2 years of pre-college courses also quadrupled
the odds of nearsightedness. Likewise, the risk
was more than doubled for soldiers who had participated in
extra lessons after school.
The investigators believe that educational
attainment can serve as a "marker" for a person's
amount of near-work activities. Children enrolled in extra
lessons after school, for instance, spend additional time
reading, writing and completing homework assignments.
British Journal
of Ophthalmology July 2001;85:855-860
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