Dim Indoor Lighting Linked to Rising Myopia Rates

New study suggests close-up work in poorly lit rooms may be the bigger culprit behind the global surge in nearsightedness.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 6:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study from the State University of New York College of Optometry proposes that the rapid increase in myopia (nearsightedness) rates globally may be linked to the dim indoor environments where people increasingly live, work, and read, rather than just the use of digital screens. The research suggests that when the retina is deprived of sufficient light during extended periods of close-up work, it may send a biological signal for the eye to elongate, leading to myopia.

Why it matters

Myopia rates have skyrocketed worldwide, with nearly half the global population projected to be affected by 2050. This rapid increase over just a few generations points to a powerful environmental influence, as genetics alone cannot explain such a dramatic shift. The new hypothesis provides a physiological explanation for why various factors, from prolonged reading to certain treatments, can influence myopia progression.

The details

The study, published in the journal Cell Reports, introduces the idea that in dim lighting, the combination of the pupil constricting to sharpen close-up vision and the reduced retinal illumination may trigger the eye to elongate, leading to myopia. Conversely, bright outdoor light provides enough illumination to the retina even with a constricted pupil, supporting healthy eye development. The researchers suggest that increasing indoor brightness during close-up work could be a low-cost way to help slow eye elongation and myopia progression.

  • The SUNY study was published in February 2026.

The players

Urusha Maharjan

A doctoral student and primary investigator on the SUNY study.

Jose-Manuel Alonso

A SUNY distinguished professor and senior author on the study.

World Health Organization

The global health agency that projects nearly half the world's population will be affected by myopia by 2050.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In bright outdoor light, the pupil constricts to protect the eye while still allowing ample light to reach the retina. When people focus on close objects indoors, such as phones, tablets or books, the pupil can also constrict, not because of brightness, but to sharpen the image. In dim lighting, this combination may significantly reduce retinal illumination.”

— Urusha Maharjan, Doctoral student and primary investigator

“This is not a final answer. But the study offers a testable hypothesis that reframes how visual habits, lighting, and eye focusing interact.”

— Jose-Manuel Alonso, SUNY distinguished professor and senior author

What’s next

The research team acknowledges limitations in their small subject group and says the hypothesis requires further investigation.

The takeaway

This study provides a new physiological framework for understanding the rapid global rise in myopia, shifting focus from just digital screens to the role of dim indoor lighting during close-up work. Simple interventions like increasing brightness during reading or screen time could become an important low-cost tactic to help slow eye elongation and myopia progression.