A recent Australian study reveals that individuals with myopia tend to fall asleep later in the evening, experiencing poorer sleep quality overall. Researchers recommend limiting evening screen use to prevent circadian rhythm disruptions and support eye health.
Myopia, a common vision disorder causing blurred distance vision, affects more than 2.5 billion people worldwide today. This epidemic is accelerating, with projections estimating that half the global population will be impacted by 2050.
Known risk factors include insufficient natural light exposure and excessive screen time. Now, experts from Flinders University in Australia highlight sleep deficiencies—specifically circadian rhythm dysregulation—in a study published in the journal Sleep in March 2021.
The researchers examined young adults in their twenties, including those with myopia. They tracked melatonin levels and circadian rhythms, finding that myopic participants' sleep onset was delayed by an average of 1 hour and 12 minutes. These individuals also showed about 30% lower melatonin levels, took longer to fall asleep, and slept less overall.
Smartphones and similar devices emit blue light that suppresses melatonin production, delaying the circadian rhythm and leading to later, fragmented sleep.
A February 2021 Chinese study noted that COVID-19 lockdowns tripled myopia rates among six-year-olds, driven by reduced daylight and increased screen exposure. Banning screens at night for children and teens remains a proven strategy to mitigate myopia risk.
