Smartwatches track outdoor time and myopia links

Researchers have used smartwatches in a study published in JAMA Network Open that explored if specific outdoor exposure patterns were associated with the development of myopia in children. 

Smartwatches were worn by 2,976 children without myopia in Shanghai, China for a minimum of six hours daily and for at least 90 days. The mean sunlight intensity was 2,345 lux. 

Researchers highlighted that continuous outdoor exposure with at least 15 minutes accompanied with no less than 2,000 lux sunlight intensity were associated with less myopic shift in refraction. 

They suggested that future outdoor interventions should focus not only on the overall time outdoors but also on the effective outdoor exposure patterns, as a means to effectively prevent myopia in children.