The increase in myopia (nearsightedness) is largely related not to “screens as such,” but to a combination of prolonged work at close range and insufficient lighting in the room, according to a hypothesis by researchers at SUNY College of Optometry, presented in a press release accompanying a publication in Cell Reports.
The authors link the possible mechanism to the fact that when focusing on close objects, the pupil can constrict not only from bright light, but also as part of accommodation—to increase clarity. In dim lighting conditions, this can significantly reduce the illumination of the retina, which, according to the researchers, may be a common “link” for myopia risk factors and for some approaches to its control, including time spent outdoors. At the same time, the authors themselves emphasize that this is a testable hypothesis and further research is needed.
The problem of myopia is seen as a long-term global trend: one of the most cited forecasts (a meta-analysis in Ophthalmology) predicts that by 2050, myopia could affect about half of the world’s population, with high myopia affecting about 10%.
To date, the evidence base generally supports the role of “lifestyle”: more time spent outdoors is statistically associated with a lower risk of developing myopia and slower eyeball elongation in children, and one of the biological pathways under discussion is light-stimulated dopamine release in the retina, which may inhibit axial elongation of the eye. In practical terms, ophthalmologists usually advise reading and studying in sufficient general lighting, taking regular breaks when working at close range, and spending more time in daylight; if you have complaints or your vision deteriorates rapidly, it is recommended that you have your eyes checked by a specialist.
Myopia
