In June of 2011, the New York Times asked the question:  “Why is nearsightedness so common in the modern world?”  The article went on to report that, “In the early 1970s, 25 percent of Americans were nearsighted; three decades later, the rate had risen to 42 percent . . . “

Research by The Ohio State University College of Optometry suggests that children who are genetically predisposed to nearsightedness can improve their chances of avoiding eyeglasses through an appropriate amount of exposure to sunshine, and all that is needed is about 14 hours a week.

The lead researcher, Donald Mutti  said:  “Between the ages of 5 and 9, a child’s eye is still growing, and sometimes this growth causes the distance between the lens and the retina to lengthen, leading to nearsightedness.”  Mutti believes that “different types of outdoor light may help preserve the proper shape and length of the eye during that growth period.”

Nearsightedness can be a problem spiritually as well as physically.  This was the case in Psalm 73:

“God is truly good to those whose lives are pure. But my feet had almost stumbled. They had almost slipped because I was envious of arrogant people when I saw the prosperity that wicked people enjoy.”

The Psalmist had subrogated an immediate focus for an eternal perspective which left him with a case of pernicious nearsightedness.  This is a spiritual malady that finds its remedy not in sunlight, but in the Son’s light:  “When I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me. Only when I came into God’s holy place did I finally understand (Psalm 73:16-17).”

Peter spoke of the transforming power of the Son’s light:

His divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.  Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. For if these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately.  But concerning the one who lacks such things—he is blind.  That is to say, he is nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins ~2 Peter 1

The best cure for a nearsighted, ineffective and unproductive life  is to spend more time basking in the warmth of the Son’s light.