The researchers did look at the effect of 45 genetic markers associated with myopia, and found only a weak connection to the degrees of nearsightedness compared to the level of education.

There may be something to be said for giving kids’ eyes a break. Other research has shown that being outdoors and exposed to daylight is associated with less nearsightedness among children and young adults.

Since students do appear to be at a higher risk of myopia, it’s not a bad idea to encourage them to spend more time outside, explains the study’s lead author Dr. Alireza Mirshahi of the University Medical Center in Mainz, Germany.