Air pollution and myopia: what a new study means for children’s eye health

Myopia (short-sightedness) is rising fast around the world, and parents often worry about screens, homework, and not enough time outdoors. A newly published study, “Benefits of clean air for school children's vision health” in PNAS Nexus, adds another important piece to the puzzle: the air children breathe at and around school also matters for their vision.

In simple terms, the study reports that cleaner air is linked with better vision outcomes in school-aged children. While we’ve long known that outdoor time protects against the onset of myopia, this research suggests that air quality itself—both indoors and outdoors—can influence how well children see and how comfortably their eyes function day to day.

Why air quality and vision are connected

Air pollution can irritate the eyes. Fine particles (PM2.5), ozone, and nitrogen dioxide can inflame the eye’s surface, causing discomfort, tearing, and fluctuating blur that can affect distance vision screening results at school.

Polluted air changes light quality. Tiny particles scatter daylight, potentially reducing contrast and altering the spectrum of light reaching the retina. Experimental and epidemiological work suggests that light quality influences retinal dopamine, a key signal that helps regulate eye growth and myopia development.

Pollution may keep kids indoors. On high-pollution days, families and schools often cut back on outdoor time. That matters because regular daylight exposure is one of the most reliable, evidence-backed ways to reduce a child’s risk of developing myopia.

Systemic effects are possible. Air pollution is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation throughout the body, including ocular tissues. Researchers are exploring how these pathways might affect the sclera and choroid (the tissues that remodel as the eye elongates in myopia).

What the new study adds

The PNAS Nexus paper examined air quality in and around schools and tracked children’s vision outcomes. The key takeaway: cleaner air was associated with measurable benefits for children’s vision health. Although the study doesn’t claim that clean air alone prevents myopia, it suggests that reducing pollution exposure—especially where children spend most of their day—can support better visual performance and potentially help slow the cascade of factors that push eyes toward short-sightedness.

This finding aligns with a growing body of research linking higher pollution levels with greater myopia prevalence and faster progression in some populations. Importantly, the school environment is a place where changes are practical and can reach many children quickly.

What this means for parents and schools

Prioritise clean indoor air in classrooms. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers sized correctly for the room, plus proper maintenance and filter changes, can reduce particle exposure where children learn and look at distant boards throughout the day.

Improve ventilation sensibly. Bring in cleaner outdoor air when local air quality is good; reduce infiltration when outdoor pollution spikes. CO2 monitors can help ensure ventilation supports cognitive and visual comfort.

Create cleaner outdoor spaces. Green buffers (trees and hedges) between roads and playgrounds help filter particulates and encourage safe, active outdoor time. Consider car-free or low-traffic zones around school entrances if possible.

Plan outdoor time with air quality in mind. Don’t eliminate recess; instead, use local air quality indices (AQI) to time outdoor breaks when conditions are best—often earlier in the morning, after rainfall, or on breezier days.

Keep classroom lighting comfortable. Good, even lighting reduces visual strain and helps children switch focus from near work to distant boards more easily.

Practical steps for families

Check your local AQI daily. Use a trusted app or government site. When pollution is high, move outdoor time to cleaner parts of the day or to greener areas away from traffic.

Make home air healthier. Avoid indoor smoke, use kitchen extraction fans when cooking, consider a HEPA purifier for sleep/study areas, and keep filters and HVAC systems well maintained.

Protect eyes outdoors. Encourage hats and sunglasses to reduce glare and UV exposure so children can comfortably spend more time outside.

Balance near work and breaks. Pollution aside, long, uninterrupted near tasks increase myopia risk. Encourage the 20-20-20 habit: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds, ideally toward a well-lit window view.

How clean air supports a comprehensive myopia strategy

Myopia risk and progression are influenced by multiple factors: genetics, time outdoors, near work, lighting, and now—clearly—air quality. Think of clean air as an enabler: it makes outdoor time safer and more comfortable, improves visual clarity in classrooms, and reduces ocular irritation that can compound strain from near work. On its own, it is unlikely to “treat” myopia, but paired with proven myopia control strategies, it strengthens the overall plan.

Key takeaways

Cleaner air is associated with better day-to-day vision outcomes for schoolchildren.

Air quality may influence myopia indirectly by affecting outdoor time, visual comfort, and retinal signaling related to eye growth.

Schools and families can take practical steps—purifiers, ventilation, greener spaces, AQI-aware scheduling—to support children’s vision.

If your child is already myopic or at higher risk (one or both parents are myopic, limited outdoor time, heavy near work), speak to an eye care professional about a personalised plan. Myopia Management options with clinical evidence can be found on our website.

The new PNAS Nexus study underscores a powerful, practical truth: the environments where children live and learn shape their vision. Cleaner air supports clearer sight, encourages outdoor time, and reduces strain—helping protect against myopia’s rise. By combining healthier air with proven myopia management strategies, families and schools can give children’s eyes the best chance to stay clear, comfortable, and focused on the future.

Reference: Benefits of clean air for school children's vision health. PNAS Nexus. https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/9/pgaf279/8259670