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Outdoor Time to Combat Eye Fatigue
Many of us spend our days with our eyes focused on screens. Whether it be for work, school, or fun, looking at a screen is a necessary occurrence in our daily lives. However those who are exposed to screens for an extended period, can experience eye fatigue, which is caused by any prolonged use of the eyes. Fortunately, spending time outside can reduce eye strain and fatigue caused by the continued use of digital devices.¹
One recommended exercise to combat eye fatigue is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, focus on something 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds². The 20-20-20 exercise is a great practice to do outdoors. When we're outside, our eyes are tracking movements at greater distances than inside spaces can provide. This gives our eyes a helpful break from looking closely at screens.
Natural Light to Reduce Risk of Myopia
Research suggests that natural light and high levels of contrast found outside can help reduce the risk of myopia, also known as nearsightedness, in children and young adults. Myopia is caused by an increase in the eye’s axial length (the length of the eye from front to back). With myopia, the eye grows longer than normal, risking quality of vision, as the excess growth makes seeing far away blurry. A study published by Karger.com conducted randomized controlled trials analyzing the effects of outdoor light on axial length. It was found that “Exposure to outdoor light has been shown to reduce eye growth, thereby reducing the progression of myopia”³.
Outside Play to Help Children's Eye Development
When spending time outside, children typically take part in activities that exercise their eyes. Playing catch, soccer, or climbing on the playground are all activities that allow developing eyes to practice tracking distant movements. By exercising their eyes, children are strengthening their ability to see far away. Outdoor activities help to develop movement-tracking skills, confirming that spending time outside is a great resource for developing eyes.
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