Children with increased physical activity have better visual and stereo acuity

New research proposed that visual and stereo acuity was better in children who had more physical activities and they were less likely to use spectacles. Disorders like Visual impairment, amblyopia, and refractive error were associated with no physical activity. The study was published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Optometry. 

Physical activity is an essential part of childhood physical and mental development. Physical inactivity is leading to eye disorders like Visual impairment, amblyopia, and refractive error. Regular physical activity is important for childhood vision and addressing visual impairment in children is critical for increasing participation in sports and exercise. Hence researchers from Ireland conducted a study to identify visual problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle in children. They explored the association between visual function in children and their engagement with physical activities outside school. 

1,626 schoolchildren were selected from random schools in Ireland. Of these 728 children were aged 6–7 years, and 898 were aged 12–13 years. Parents/legal guardians of participants completed a standardized questionnaire reporting the physical activities of children. The activities were considered as no activity if mostly on screens, light activity if the child is on occasional walking/cycling, moderate activity if the child is engaged in sports for <3 hrs/week, or regular activity if the child is engaged in sports for >3hrs/week. Measurements included logMAR monocular visual acuities with spectacles and pinhole, in the distance of 3 m and near distance of 40 cm, stereo acuity by TNO stereo-test, cover test, and cycloplegic autorefraction using 1% cyclopentolate.  

Results

• In both the 6–7-year-old and 12–13-year-old participants presenting distance visual acuity, near visual acuity, and stereo acuity was significantly better amongst participants who reported regular physical activity rather than moderate, light or no activity as per the linear regression analysis after controlling for confounders like the socioeconomic disadvantage and non-White ethnicity.  
• In children with regular physical activity clinically significant refractive error was absent (>−0.50D < 2.00D).
• No activity was reported by participants presenting with visual impairment (better-eye vision <6/12), amblyopia (pinhole acuity ≤6/12 plus an amblyogenic factor), and participants at school without their spectacles. 

Thus, the researchers concluded that visual and stereo acuity was better in children who regularly engaged in physical activities. They also suggested that physical activity is beneficial for childhood vision and addressing visual impairment in children, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged and non-White communities. 

To read the full article, click here: https://doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2022.2106780 

Harrington S, Kearney J, O'Dwyer V. Visual factors associated with physical activity in schoolchildren [published online ahead of print, 2022 Aug 11]. Clin Exp Optom. 2022;1-11.