02/20/2026
The global surge in myopia (nearsightedness) is often blamed on screens, but new research suggests a more physiological culprit: low retinal illumination. The study proposes that when we perform sustained “near work” indoors, like reading a book or scrolling on a phone, our pupils constrict to sharpen the image (accommodation).
In dim indoor lighting, this constriction, combined with low ambient light, starves the retina of the robust activity it needs to stay healthy. This “light starvation” may be the unifying mechanism that explains why outdoor time prevents myopia and why certain treatments, like atropine drops (which dilate the pupil), actually work.
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https://neurosciencenews.com/myopia-indoor-lighting-retina-30130/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=other