Association between light at night and ocular biometric parameters among preschool children

HUANG Axiang; ZHANG Yizheng; TONG Haojie; TAO Fangbiao

doi:10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025311

Volume 46 Issue 10

Oct. 2025

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH > 2025 > 46(10): 1506-1510

HUANG Axiang, ZHANG Yizheng, TONG Haojie, TAO Fangbiao. Association between light at night and ocular biometric parameters among preschool children[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(10): 1506-1510. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025311

Citation:

HUANG Axiang, ZHANG Yizheng, TONG Haojie, TAO Fangbiao. Association between light at night and ocular biometric parameters among preschool children[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, 2025, 46(10): 1506-1510. doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025311

Citation:

PDF( 975 KB)

Association between light at night and ocular biometric parameters among preschool children

doi: 10.16835/j.cnki.1000-9817.2025311

1.
Affiliated Kindergarten of Quanzhou Children Normal School, Quanzhou 362000, Fujian Province, China

Received Date: 2025-04-14
Rev Recd Date: 2025-06-25
Publish Date: 2025-10-25

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To explore the association between light at night (LAN) of different intensities and ocular biometric parameters among preschool children, so as to provide a reference for optimizing strategies for myopia prevention and control. Methods From November 2024 to January 2025, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 369 preschool children from one kindergarten in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province. Questionnaire survey and eye examination were performed, and portable light sensors were used to collect LAN exposure data. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the associations between the duration of LAN exposure at different intensities and ocular biometric parameters. Generalized linear model was employed to explore the relationships between LAN duration at various intensities and ocular biometric parameters, while restricted cubic spline was used to investigate potential nonlinear associations. Results The spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), and axial length/corneal radius of curvature (AL/CR) for preschool children were 0.38 (-0.13, 0.63) diopters, 22.35 (21.86, 22.88) mm, and 2.86 (2.82, 2.90), respectively. The median daily duration (interquartile ranges) of LAN exposure at intensities of 0, >0-100, >100-300, and >300 lx were 6.09(5.31, 6.74), 1.74(1.13, 2.42), 0.06(0.00, 0.26), 0.00(0.00, 0.00)h/d, respectively. The generalized linear model showed that for every additional hour of LAN at >100-300 lx, the AL/CR increased by 0.26 (95%CI=0.01-0.52); for every additional hour of LAN at >300 lx, AL/CR increased by 0.32 (95%CI=0.05-0.59) (both P < 0.05). No statistically significant associations were observed between SE or AL and LAN exposure at any of the intensity levels (0, >0-100, >100-300, and >300 lx) (all P>0.05). The restricted cubic spline model revealed that, except for the nonlinear relationship between LAN duration and AL at >100-300 lx (P=0.02), all other light intensity levels showed linear correlations between LAN duration and preschool children's SE, AL, and AL/CR (both P>0.05). Time-of-day subgroup analysis revealed that during school days, for every additional hour of LAN at >100-300 lx and over 300 lx, AL/CR increased by 0.18 (95%CI=0.01-0.35) and 0.22 (95%CI=0.03-0.41), respectively (both P < 0.05). However, weekend exposure showed no statistically significant association (all P>0.05). Conclusion Higher intensity of LAN is associated with increased AL/CR, and reducing exposure to LAN may have a potential protective effect on the visual health of preschool children.
- Light,
- Environmental exposure,
- Eye,
- Child, preschool

FullText(HTML)

References(27)

References

[1]	HOLEDN B A, FRICKE T R, WILSON D A, et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050[J]. Ophthalmology, 2016, 123(5): 1036-1042.
[2]	PAN W, SAW S M, WONG T Y, et al. Prevalence and temporal trends in myopia and high myopia children in China: a systematic review and Meta-analysis with projections from 2020 to 2050[J]. Lancet Reg Health West Pac, 2025, 55: 101484.
[3]	HAARMAN A E G, ENTHOVEN C A, TIDEMAN J W L, et al. The complications of myopia: a review and Meta-analysis[J]. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2020, 61(4): 49.
[4]	WONG T Y, FERREIRA A, HUGHES R, et al. Epidemiology and disease burden of pathologic myopia and myopic choroidal neovascularization: an evidence-based systematic review[J]. Am J Ophthalmol, 2014, 157(1): 9-25. e12.
[5]	LANCA C, REPKA M X, GRZYBOWSKI A. Myths in myopia epidemiology and treatment[J]. JAMA Ophthalmol, 2024, 142(5): 403-404.
[6]	NAIDOO K S, FRICKE T R, FRICK K D, et al. Potential lost productivity resulting from the global burden of myopia: systematic review, Meta-analysis, and modeling[J]. Ophthalmology, 2019, 126(3): 338-346.
[7]	CHEN X, GILES J, YAO Y, et al. The path to healthy ageing in China: a Peking University-Lancet commission[J]. Lancet, 2022, 400(10367): 1967-2006.
[8]	HE X, SANKARIDURG P, WANG J, et al. Time outdoors in reducing myopia: a school-based cluster randomized trial with objective monitoring of outdoor time and light intensity[J]. Ophthalmology, 2022, 129(11): 1245-1254.
[9]	QUINN G E, SHIN C H, MAGUIRE M G, et al. Myopia and ambient lighting at night[J]. Nature, 1999, 399(6732): 113-114.
[10]	LOMAN J, QUINN G E, KAMOUN L, et al. Darkness and near work: myopia and its progression in third-year law students[J]. Ophthalmology, 2002, 109(5): 1032-1038.
[11]	LIU T, TAN W, FU Y, et al. Association of outdoor artificial light at night with myopia among Chinese adolescents: a representative cross-sectional study[J]. Front Med, 2024, 11: 1469422.
[12]	CHEN J, WANG J, QI Z, et al. Smartwatch measures of outdoor exposure and myopia in children[J]. JAMA Netw Open, 2024, 7(8): e2424595.
[13]	GWIAZDA J, ONG E, HELD R, et al. Myopia and ambient night-time lighting[J]. Nature, 2000, 404(6774): 144.
[14]	LANDIS E G, YANG V, BROWN D M, et al. Dim light exposure and myopia in children[J]. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2018, 59(12): 4804-4811.
[15]	HE X, ZOU H, LU L, et al. Axial length/corneal radius ratio: association with refractive state and role on myopia detection combined with visual acuity in Chinese school children[J]. PLoS One, 2015, 10(2): e0111766.
[16]	MU J, ZENG D, FAN J, et al. The accuracy of the axial length and axial length/corneal radius ratio for myopia assessment among Chinese children[J]. Front Pediatr, 2022, 10: 859944.
[17]	OMOTO M K, TORⅡ H, HAYASHI K, et al. Ratio of axial length to corneal radius in Japanese patients and accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation based on biometric data[J]. Am J Ophthalmol, 2020, 218: 320-329.
[18]	YIN Y, LI L, WANG T, et al. Establishment of noncycloplegic methods for screening myopia and pre-myopia in preschool children[J]. Front Med, 2023, 10: 1291387.
[19]	MEYER N, HARVEY A G, LOCKLEY S W, et al. Circadian rhythms and disorders of the timing of sleep[J]. Lancet, 2022, 400(10357): 1061-1078.
[20]	CHEN S K, BADEA T C, HATTAR S. Photoentrainment and pupillary light reflex are mediated by distinct populations of ipRGCs[J]. Nature, 2011, 476(7358): 92-95.
[21]	HYSI P G, INC A, CHOQUET H, et al. Meta-analysis of 542 934 subjects of European ancestry identifies new genes and mechanisms predisposing to refractive error and myopia[J]. Nat Genet, 2020, 52(4): 401-407.
[22]	JOCKERS R, MAURICE P, BOUTIN J A, et al. Melatonin receptors, heterodimerization, signal transduction and binding sites: what's new?[J]. Br J Pharmacol, 2008, 154(6): 1182-1195.
[23]	LIU X N, YAP S E L, CHEN X E, et al. Late bedtime and altered diurnal axial length rhythms of the eye[J]. Curr Eye Res, 2025, 50(1): 101-109.
[24]	HU Y, YU M, HAN X, et al. Behavioral intervention with eye-use monitoring to delay myopia onset and progression in children: a cluster randomized trial[J]. Ophthalmology, 2025, 132(6): 701-712.
[25]	FOREMAN J, SALIM A T, PRAVEEN A, et al. Association between digital smart device use and myopia: a systematic review and Meta-analysis[J]. Lancet Digit Health, 2021, 3(12): e806-e818.
[26]	YING Z Q, LI D L, ZHENG X Y, et al. Risk factors for myopia among children and adolescents: an umbrella review of published Meta-analyses and systematic reviews[J]. Br J Ophthalmol, 2024, 108(2): 167-174.
[27]	SHI D, DANG J, CHEN H, et al. Assessment of indoor light-at-night exposure in children and adolescents during schooldays and weekends[J]. Environ Pollut, 2024, 360: 124689.