Myopia has become a global epidemic,with
projections indicating that nearly half of the world’s population will
be affected by myopia by 2050, positioning it has a significant global
functional health concern.Beyond merely impairing vision, myopia also
heightens the risk of blinding diseases such as macular degeneration and
glaucoma. Although the pathogenesis of myopia is not yet fully
elucidated, it is stongly associated with environmental factors, genetic
predispositions, and circadian rhythm disruptions. The circadian rhythm
plays a pivotal role in the onset and progression of myopia by goerning
mechanism such as light exposure, dopamine metabolism, and retinal
signaling. Light serves as a crucial regulator of the circadian rhythm.
Specifically, high light intensity during outdoor activities can
effectively stimulate dopamine secretion, thereby inhibiting axial
elongaation and reducing the incidence of myopia. Conversely, abnormal
light patterns, such as exposure to light at night, can disrupt this
regulatory process. Moreover, insufficient sleep has been found to be
negatively correlated with the incidence of myopia in children.
Additionally, key ocular parameters, including axial length and vitreous
cavity depth, exhibit pronounced diurnal rhythmic fluctuations.
Dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in the retina, is regulated by
circadian clock genes and functions to inhibit axial elongation. Both
the circadian clock genes and photosensitive pigments within the retina
are involved in regulating eye growth. Meanwhile, the autonomic nervous
system contributes to this regulation by modulating choroidal thickness
and blood flow perfusion. Animal experiments and clinical studies have
consistently demonstrated that disrupted circadian rhythms can lead to
axial elongation and the progression of myopia. Future research should
delve deeper into the causal relationship between circadian rhythm and
myopia, the regulatory mechanisms underlying dopamine metabolism, and
the functions of circadian clock genes. Such investigation will pave the
way for the development of effective strategies for myopia prevention
and control.