Parents rarely need convincing that outdoor play is good for young children. Fresh air, physical activity, social interaction, and time away from screens are all widely recognised benefits. Yet a new UK study suggests that many parents may be unaware of another important advantage: spending time outdoors may help reduce the risk of childhood myopia.
Researchers from the University of Leicester explored outdoor time and screen use among preschool children aged one to four years as part of the COSMIC Study. Their findings reveal an interesting disconnect. While parents overwhelmingly valued outdoor play, very few children were actually spending enough time outdoors to meet recommendations associated with myopia prevention.
Parents know outdoor play matters
The study surveyed parents of preschool-aged children across Leicestershire and found widespread agreement that outdoor activity is important. Every parent who participated indicated that outdoor time mattered for their child's wellbeing, and most felt that spending 13 hours per week outdoors was a realistic goal.
Despite those positive attitudes, only five children in the study, representing less than 10% of participants, were reported to meet the recommended level of outdoor exposure linked to reducing the risk of myopia. The findings suggest that positive intentions do not always translate into daily habits.
Interestingly, the issue did not appear to be a lack of enthusiasm for outdoor activities. Instead, researchers identified limited awareness of the relationship between outdoor exposure and eye development as a potential factor influencing behaviour.
The missing link in myopia prevention
Over the past decade, research has increasingly shown that time spent outdoors can play an important role in reducing the likelihood of children developing myopia. Although scientists continue to study the exact mechanisms involved, exposure to natural light is widely believed to support healthy eye development.
What makes this study noteworthy is that many parents appeared unaware of that connection. Outdoor play was viewed positively for general health reasons, but not necessarily as an evidence-based strategy for protecting vision.
This awareness gap may present an opportunity for eye care professionals, educators, and public health organisations. If parents already value outdoor activity, increasing understanding of its role in preventing myopia could encourage more consistent habits during early childhood.
What the researchers found
The study gathered responses from parents of 52 children between the ages of one and four years. Researchers examined both outdoor activity and screen use, seeking to understand how these behaviours aligned with existing recommendations.
While outdoor activity levels were lower than expected, adherence to screen time recommendations was considerably stronger. More than three-quarters of children were reported to meet current screen time guidelines.
Researchers found no significant relationship between outdoor time and screen time within the study population. This suggests that increasing outdoor activity may require targeted efforts beyond simply reducing screen exposure.
One of the study's most important findings was that outdoor time and screen time should not necessarily be viewed as opposite ends of the same behaviour. Encouraging one may require different strategies than limiting the other.
Fig. 1: Likert scale responses to the following questions.
- a How important do you believe it is for your child to spend time outdoors regularly at their current age?.
- b To what extent do you agree with the following statement, ‘Screen-time reduces the amount of time my child spends outdoors?’.
- c In general, do you think that children spending time on hand-held screens has a beneficial or negative effect on their eye health?.
- d How realistic do you feel spending 13 h per week outside is for your child?.
Why awareness may be the real challenge
Public discussions about children's vision often focus heavily on screens. While screen habits remain an important consideration, the study highlights another factor that may deserve greater attention: educating parents about behaviours that actively support healthy visual development.
Many parents in the study believed outdoor recommendations were achievable, which suggests that barriers may not be purely practical. Instead, awareness and prioritisation could play a larger role than previously assumed.
For eye care professionals, this finding reinforces the value of discussing outdoor habits during routine conversations with families. Simple education about the relationship between outdoor exposure and myopia risk could help influence decisions made during a child's earliest years.
“Findings demonstrate an importance in reducing screentime and increasing outdoor time within the pre-school population and offer a foundational understanding for future research in targeting such behaviours throughout myopia prevention.”
— Simran Khutan and colleagues, COSMIC Study authors
Building healthier habits before school begins
The preschool years represent an important window for establishing lifelong habits. By the time children enter formal education, patterns relating to outdoor play, physical activity, and screen use may already be taking shape.
The Leicester study does not provide all the answers, but it offers a useful reminder that prevention often begins with awareness. Parents generally recognise the value of outdoor play, yet many remain unaware that it may also help protect their child's future vision.
As rates of myopia continue to rise globally, helping families understand that connection may prove to be one of the simplest and most accessible interventions available. Sometimes the most effective preventative measures are not found in a clinic or a treatment plan, but in everyday activities that encourage children to spend more time outside.
Source: Nature
