Too much TV can ruin sight

An epidemic of sight problems could soon result from children spending too much time glued to TVs and computers, it was claimed today.

The trend can already be seen in Japan and Singapore, which both have soaring rates of myopia, say scientists.

Australian researchers reject the conventional view that short-sightedness is a genetic problem in the East.

After reviewing more than 40 studies, they concluded that lifestyle, not inherited genes, was chiefly responsible. They warn that similar levels of myopia to east Asia could soon be seen in the West.

Ian Morgan, from the Australian National University in Canberra, said: "As kids spend more time indoors, on computers or watching telly, we are going to become just as myopic."

Another study found myopia rates of 80 per cent in boys aged 14 to 18 at schools in Israel that emphasise the reading of religious texts. The rate for boys in ordinary state schools was 30 per cent.