Myopia is increasing, but it's not the fault of pcs

In an interview in the daily newspaper La Stampa, Mario Stirpe, chairman of the Bietti Foundation for ophthalmologic studies and research, spoke about the association between computers and myopia, underscoring that there is no 'scientific evidence to prove the relationship.'

Despite the fact that, compared to a few years ago, myopia has increased by 50%, Stirpe stated that 'to date at least, we have no proof of a cause and effect relationship. However, in medicine' Stirpe added, 'we are not in a habit of ignoring doubts: the relationship could be demonstrated tomorrow. But for the moment, it is not the case.'

Having clarified this point, the professor did however underline that staying in front of a computer for many hours is not 'a hygienic application, especially when children of school-age are concerned as that is when myopia develops.' Stirpe explained that 'When the computer is used only for reading texts, it does not increase myopia; but if it is used as a tool which not only encourages reading, but also offers a series of games which multiply the hours spent looking at the monitor, in that case I cannot deny that it does play a role in reducing sight, especially in people who already have this problem.'

What causes myopia is not completely understood, but it is increasing all over the world and in the Far East in particular: a glaring example is Hong Kong, where 85 to 90% of children are myopic. 'We believe it is genetic' Stirpe concluded. 'However, no-one has ever isolated the gene. We are almost certain that myopia is passed from generation to generation, but we cannot say that we have been able to determine its origin yet.'