IMI: The Role of Light in Refractive Development and Myopia: Evidence from Animal and Human Studies.

ABSTRACT: Spending time outdoors is consistently associated with delayed myopia onset in children and has been incorporated into prevention programs. While the underlying mechanisms remain under investigation, substantial evidence supports sunlight exposure as a key contributing factor. This review evaluates the evidence supporting this association. Animal studies demonstrate that light characteristics-such as intensity, chromaticity, and photoperiod-can influence refractive development, often postulated to function through modulation of the dopaminergic system. However, translating these findings to humans is challenging due to limited data. Evidence remains insufficient regarding how specific light properties-including intensity thresholds, exposure durations, spectral composition, and temporal pa

SUBMITTER: Ashby R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12701611 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature