Myopia is rising globally: are screens the real culprit or is it outdoor light?

The accelerating rise in myopia over recent decades stems not from screens alone, but from an interplay of environmental factors affecting ocular refraction and axial elongation. Peter Attia examines how direct sunlight exposure, near-work visual load, and prolonged screen time interact to shape eye growth during the critical developmental windows of childhood and adolescence. The evidence suggests outdoor light intensity—orders of magnitude higher than indoor environments—is a stronger predictor of myopia risk than screen hours alone. For the longevity and biohacking community, the implication is pragmatic: the goal is not digital abstinence but environmental rebalancing through regular exposure to direct sunlight, ideally during early morning hours when spectral quality optimizes circadian and ocular signaling.