3 ms·

It was kind of common knowledge that something related to being a nerd was causing myopia, but I'd say most people assumed that the culprits were things like re

It was kind of common knowledge that something related to being a nerd was causing myopia, but I'd say most people assumed that the culprits were things like reading and screens, rather than being indoors. Hindsight is 20/20.

silisili 4y ago
I replied elsewhere...I disagree that light type is the culprit. If so, why do people in areas without electricity become myopic? That strongly feels like correlation rather than causation at its finest. My brother and I were kids with mostly similar habits. We spent a lot playing outside, but he loved reading his Goosebump books, while I mainly watched TV at a distance. He needed glasses as a kid, and I didn't until we got a computer in my teen years. It completely feels like it's a focusing distance issue.
- gcbirzan 4y ago
  You disagree with science based on a 'feeling'. Myopia in children is what we're talking about, and sunlight exposure is not the only factor. Similarly, having similar habits doesn't mean you will get the same result.
  - silisili 4y ago
    I get your point, I'm not going to tell you I'm right. But realize the article says 'researchers think' and 'evidence suggests.' Far from proven science. If it's more firmly established, I'll gladly admit I'm wrong.
- doliveira 4y ago
  The reasoning is supposed to be statistical, so your counterpoint "why do people in areas without electricity become myopic" doesn't even make sense. A proper counterpoint would be "people in areas without electricity have the same chance of being myopic as people in areas with electricity", and well, data seems pretty clear they don't.
  - silisili 4y ago
    Fair point. Would another fair avenue to potentially counterpoint be to ask why countries with less light for long periods, such as Nordic countries, or areas where people spend months at a time indoors like frigid areas, are not more nearsighted than fairweather areas like Singapore? Unrelated, I'm wondering if there is some method to tell. The general fact is, people indoors tend to be focusing on things close by. And vice versa outside. So it feels impossible to conclude without controlling for the other. Can we find people who read or smartphone for hours on end outdoors? Or people indoors who don't do those things?
mattlondon 4y ago
I often thought that glasses and people who do a lot of reading etc was a side effect rather than a cause - i.e. that people who read more noticed they needed glasses and we're happy to wear them, but kids who would rather do sports perhaps didn't notice so much and/or were less inclined to wear glasses when playing cricket or whatever

silisili 4y ago

I replied elsewhere...I disagree that light type is the culprit. If so, why do people in areas without electricity become myopic? That strongly feels like correlation rather than causation at its finest. My brother and I were kids with mostly similar habits. We spent a lot playing outside, but he loved reading his Goosebump books, while I mainly watched TV at a distance. He needed glasses as a kid, and I didn't until we got a computer in my teen years. It completely feels like it's a focusing distance issue.

gcbirzan 4y ago
You disagree with science based on a 'feeling'. Myopia in children is what we're talking about, and sunlight exposure is not the only factor. Similarly, having similar habits doesn't mean you will get the same result.
- silisili 4y ago
  I get your point, I'm not going to tell you I'm right. But realize the article says 'researchers think' and 'evidence suggests.' Far from proven science. If it's more firmly established, I'll gladly admit I'm wrong.
doliveira 4y ago
The reasoning is supposed to be statistical, so your counterpoint "why do people in areas without electricity become myopic" doesn't even make sense. A proper counterpoint would be "people in areas without electricity have the same chance of being myopic as people in areas with electricity", and well, data seems pretty clear they don't.
- silisili 4y ago
  Fair point. Would another fair avenue to potentially counterpoint be to ask why countries with less light for long periods, such as Nordic countries, or areas where people spend months at a time indoors like frigid areas, are not more nearsighted than fairweather areas like Singapore? Unrelated, I'm wondering if there is some method to tell. The general fact is, people indoors tend to be focusing on things close by. And vice versa outside. So it feels impossible to conclude without controlling for the other. Can we find people who read or smartphone for hours on end outdoors? Or people indoors who don't do those things?

mattlondon 4y ago

I often thought that glasses and people who do a lot of reading etc was a side effect rather than a cause - i.e. that people who read more noticed they needed glasses and we're happy to wear them, but kids who would rather do sports perhaps didn't notice so much and/or were less inclined to wear glasses when playing cricket or whatever