Pilot Study of a Novel Classroom Designed to Prevent Myopia by Increasing Children’s Exposure to Outdoor Light

Abstract

 

Purpose

 

Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that children who spend more time outdoors are less likely to become myopic, while high light intensity has been reported to inhibit the development of myopia in animal models. We designed and constructed a novel open classroom (OC) allowing for exposure to outdoor levels of light. We have now assessed illumination, light spectrum and temperature outdoors, in the new classroom and in conventional classrooms, and the satisfaction and comfort of students and teachers using it, as a prelude to an intervention study.

 

Methods

 

The classroom was constructed of clear and light-diffusing glass, with a user-controlled shade canopy to be deployed in very sunny conditions. Light intensity at 9 points in the Open Classroom (OC), 3 points immediately outside it and 9 points in a nearby traditional classroom (TC) were measured hourly using a light meter (Z-10, Everfine Co, China) during school days for one week. A total of 230 (100%) primary school students (mean age 10.2 +/- 0.75 years, 57.0% male) and 10 (90.0%) teachers (mean age 36.7 +/- 7.29 years, 40% male) completed questionnaires designed by an architect on user comfort in the OC and TC.

 

Results

 

The light intensity in OC was significantly higher than in TC, and approached levels outdoors, especially with the canopy open on sunny days (Figure 1). Student comfort score for OC (69.4 +/- 7.56) was significantly higher than for TC (65.3 +/- 7.62, P<0.001), while teacher scores for OC (56.2 +/- 5.60) and TC (58.2 +/- 4.35, P= 1.00) did not differ. Further data for hot and cool seasons, and on light spectrum and temperature will be presented.

 

Conclusions

 

Light intensity in OC is significantly higher than TC, and approached that outdoors. Children are satisfied with the comfort of the OC.