Bio-environmental factors associated with myopia: An updated review

Abstract

Experimental studies in animals, as well as observational and intervention studies in humans, seem to support the premise that the development of juvenile myopia is promoted by a combination of the effect of genetic and environmental factors, with a complex interaction between them. The very rapid increase in myopia rates in some parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia, supports a significant environmental effect. Several lines of evidence suggest that humans might respond to various external factors, such as increased activity in near vision, increased educational pressure, decreased exposure to sunlight outdoors, dietary changes (including increased intake of carbohydrates), as well as low light levels indoors. All these factors could be associated with a higher prevalence of myopia.

Keywords: Exposición a la luz ambiental y miopía; Exposure to sunlight and myopia; Factores ambientales en miopía; Genetics of myopia; Genética de la miopía; Miopía; Myopia; Myopia environmental factors; Myopia prevention; Near-vision work and myopia; Prevención de la miopía; Trabajo en visión próxima y miopía.