Myopia linked to too much TV

Permanent vision damage in children previously attributed to genetics is now being strongly linked to excessive TV viewing.

The finding is made in a report compiled by psychologist Dr Aric Sigman which lists 15 health problems which he claims can be blamed on watching too much television.

His report analysed 35 different scientific studies carried out into television's effect on viewers. Among the ill-effects cited by the report are vision problems, autism, childhood obesity, diabetes and hormonal changes.

Sigman claims that over-exposure to TV and computer screens is to be blamed for the rising incidence in myopia as they demand long periods of fixed attention from the viewer.