IN JULY I spent three-and-a-half days sitting as rector alongside the vice-chancellor and pro-vice-chancellors at the University of Edinburgh’s graduation ceremony. From my vantage position on the dais, I was amazed at how many graduands wore spectacles. Having read the news item “Blame lifestyle for myopia, not genes” (New Scientist, 10 July, p 12), I felt compelled to see what the Department of ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ’s view on the matter was.
Rosie Winterton, the health minister responsible for optical services, said that although there was concern about increased levels of short-sightedness in young people, until now no studies had specifically linked myopia…
