health π Why screens and less sun are messing with your eyesight
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is dramatically increasing globally, shifting from about 20% incidence 150 years ago to over 90% in some areas today. This rise is linked to longer schooling and increased screen time combined with less time outdoors in sunlight. Sunlight helps increase dopamine, which acts as a 'brake' preventing the eye from elongating excessively. In China, rapid urbanization and long study hours contribute to this epidemic, with incidence predicted to rise to 60% or more by 2050. Therefore, balancing near work with outdoor exposure is crucial for eye health.