AHS17 Nearsightedness: A modern disease - Steven Turpin
Channel: AncestryFoundation
Date: 2017-10-24

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is increasing at alarming rate around the world. Prevalence in some East Asian countries has reached close to 90%. While it is well documented that genetics play some role, environmental factors like time spent outdoors affect individual development of myopia greatly. Light influences intra-eye neurotransmitter release (specifically dopamine), which is very tightly correlated with eye growth. Currently, we have no practical way of simulating natural sunlight both in its intensity (400x larger than an average classroom) or spectrum. This makes spending time in naturally illuminated environments crucial to the normal development of our children’s eyes. Theories on dietary effects are also intriguing but need further investigation. By encouraging our kids to spend time outdoors and providing optimal nutrition, we not only promote normal eye growth, but set a cornerstone in the foundation of an ancestral lifestyle.