Research suggests dim indoor lighting may contribute to myopia progression in animal models — Evidence Review
Published in Cell Reports, by researchers from SUNY College of Optometry
Researched by
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Table of Contents
A new study from the SUNY College of Optometry suggests that myopia in children and young adults may be more strongly linked to sustained close-up work in dim indoor lighting, rather than screen use alone. This nuanced perspective is broadly consistent with recent research, which indicates that both lighting conditions and near work play significant roles in myopia progression.
- Recent studies show that both insufficient exposure to bright light and extended near work contribute to myopia, supporting the idea that environmental lighting and visual behavior interact in complex ways to influence eye development 1 2 13 14.
- While some reviews find only weak or inconsistent evidence linking screen time alone to myopia, the combination of near work, reduced outdoor exposure, and suboptimal lighting appears to be more strongly associated with increased risk 11 12 13 14 15.
- Evidence from animal models and human studies indicates that both low- and high-intensity light can protect against myopia progression, suggesting the importance of a broad range of light exposures in refractive development 1 2 4.
Study Overview and Key Findings
Myopia is increasing rapidly worldwide, particularly among children and young adults, raising concerns among clinicians and researchers. The commonly held belief that digital screen use is the primary driver of this trend has led to widespread efforts to reduce screen time. However, the new study from SUNY College of Optometry challenges this notion by proposing a unified theory: the amount of light reaching the retina during prolonged near work—especially in dim indoor conditions—may be a more critical factor. This perspective could reshape prevention strategies and highlights the need to consider both visual habits and environmental lighting.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Organization | SUNY College of Optometry |
| Journal Name | Cell Reports |
| Authors | Urusha Maharjan, Jose-Manuel Alonso |
| Population | Animal models |
| Methods | Animal Study |
| Outcome | Myopia progression and retinal illumination |
| Results | Proposed mechanism links dim light and close-up work to myopia. |
Literature Review: Related Studies
To place this study in context, we searched the Consensus database of over 200 million research papers using targeted queries. The following search queries were used:
Below, we organize related findings into key topic areas:
| Topic | Key Findings |
|---|---|
| How do lighting conditions (dim, bright, spectrum) influence myopia risk and progression? | - Both bright and dim lighting exposures affect eye growth; scotopic (dim) and photopic (bright) light can protect against myopia in animal models 1 2. - Far red/near-infrared (FR/NIR) light and low-level red light have demonstrated effectiveness in controlling myopia progression in children 4 5. |
| What is the relationship between screen time, near work, and myopia in children and adolescents? | - Evidence linking screen time alone to myopia is mixed; associations are weak or inconsistent in many systematic reviews, though some meta-analyses find a small increased risk 11 12 14. - Combined near work (including screens, reading, and computer use) and reduced outdoor time are more consistently associated with myopia risk 13 15. |
| Does time spent outdoors or exposure to natural light protect against myopia? | - Increased time outdoors and exposure to natural light are strongly and consistently associated with reduced myopia risk 2 13 14. - Objective measurements confirm that myopic children spend less time in both dim and bright light compared to nonmyopic peers 1 13. |
| How does indoor lighting affect mood, work efficiency, or circadian rhythms, and are these linked to myopia? | - Indoor lighting quality affects mood, work comfort, and efficiency, with optimal lighting improving subjective well-being 6 7 8 9. - Myopia has been associated with altered circadian timing and lower melatonin output, suggesting a role for light-driven biological rhythms in eye growth 3 10. |
How do lighting conditions (dim, bright, spectrum) influence myopia risk and progression?
Related studies provide strong evidence that a range of lighting conditions—including both bright and dim light—can influence refractive development and myopia risk. Animal models show that both scotopic (dim) and photopic (bright) light exposures reduce susceptibility to induced myopia, possibly via modulation of retinal dopamine and rod pathway signaling. Additionally, interventions using specific wavelengths, such as low-level red light or FR/NIR light, have shown efficacy in slowing myopia progression in children.
- Myopia development is modulated by both light intensity and spectrum, with protective effects noted for both bright outdoor light and select indoor lighting conditions 1 2 4 5.
- Animal studies indicate that both dim and bright light exposures during development can reduce myopia severity, potentially by influencing retinal dopamine pathways 1 2.
- Objective measures show myopic children receive less exposure to both outdoor (bright) and scotopic (dim) light than nonmyopic peers 1.
- Clinical trials with low-level red light demonstrate slowed myopia progression and increased choroidal thickness without adverse events 5.
What is the relationship between screen time, near work, and myopia in children and adolescents?
Evidence linking screen time alone to myopia is inconsistent, with some systematic reviews and meta-analyses reporting only weak associations. However, studies that consider combined near work—including reading, computer use, and screen time—find stronger links to myopia, particularly when accompanied by reduced outdoor activity. The new SUNY study's focus on close-up work in dim lighting aligns with research suggesting that visual habits and environment, rather than screens per se, are central to myopia risk.
- Meta-analyses report mixed findings, with some showing a small increased risk for myopia with higher screen time, but considerable heterogeneity exists 11 12 14.
- Combined near work (reading, computer, screens) shows a more robust association with myopia than screen use alone 13 15.
- Outdoor exposure consistently emerges as a protective factor, mitigating the risk conferred by near work 13 14.
- Associations between educational pressure and myopia are strong, supporting an environmental influence beyond digital device use 14.
Does time spent outdoors or exposure to natural light protect against myopia?
Time spent outdoors—and by extension, greater exposure to both bright and natural light—is strongly and consistently linked to lower myopia risk in children and adolescents. This protective effect is observed in both observational and randomized controlled studies, suggesting a causal relationship. The new study's emphasis on retinal illumination during near work dovetails with evidence that outdoor light exposure is beneficial, possibly by maintaining healthy levels of retinal stimulation and preventing excessive eye growth.
- Myopic children spend less time in both dim and bright light environments compared to their nonmyopic peers 1 13.
- Increased time outdoors is robustly protective against myopia, with randomized controlled trials confirming this effect 13 14.
- Interventions promoting outdoor activity are being considered as public health strategies for myopia prevention 13 14.
- The mechanism may involve enhanced retinal dopamine signaling and circadian regulation, both of which are influenced by light exposure 2 3.
How does indoor lighting affect mood, work efficiency, or circadian rhythms, and are these linked to myopia?
Beyond ocular development, indoor lighting conditions can impact psychological wellbeing, work performance, and circadian biology. Suboptimal lighting is associated with poorer mood and reduced work efficiency, while optimal or individually controlled lighting enhances comfort and productivity. There is emerging evidence that circadian disruption—mediated by artificial lighting patterns—may be associated with myopia, possibly through altered melatonin production and sleep timing.
- Indoor lighting that is too dim or too bright can negatively affect mood, while optimal lighting supports wellbeing 6 7 8.
- Individual control over lighting improves comfort, motivation, and vigilance in office environments 7 8.
- Physiological measures indicate that both brightness and color temperature influence visual comfort and reading efficiency 9.
- Myopia in young adults is linked to delayed circadian timing and reduced melatonin output, suggesting a role for light-driven biological rhythms in refractive development 3 10.
Future Research Questions
Although the new study offers a novel, testable hypothesis linking retinal illumination during near work to myopia, significant gaps remain. Future research is needed to clarify mechanisms in humans, assess interventions targeting lighting and accommodation, and determine how environmental and behavioral factors interact across diverse populations.
| Research Question | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Does increasing indoor lighting intensity during near work reduce myopia progression in children? | Directly tests the hypothesis suggested by the new study; could inform practical interventions in classrooms and homes 1 2 13. |
| How do accommodation and pupil dynamics during near work differ between myopic and nonmyopic individuals? | Understanding physiological differences could clarify mechanisms and identify at-risk individuals for targeted prevention 2 3. |
| What are the long-term effects of combining increased outdoor time with reduced near work on myopia incidence? | Examines the interplay between two well-supported protective/risk factors to determine optimal prevention strategies 13 14. |
| Can objective measures of light exposure and screen time improve risk assessment for myopia? | Addresses limitations of self-reported data and could enhance the precision of epidemiological studies 1 11 12. |
| What role do circadian rhythms and melatonin signaling play in human myopia development? | Investigates biological pathways that may link light exposure, sleep, and eye growth, with potential for novel preventive approaches 3 10. |