To synthesize current epidemiological findings and mechanistic hypotheses regarding altitude-associated differences in refractive status and myopia prevalence.
Approach:
Literature Search: A structured literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from January 2000 to January 2026 with specific keywords related to altitude and myopia.
Key Findings:
Myopia prevalence is lower in high-altitude populations compared to lowland regions.
Environmental factors such as hypobaric hypoxia, enhanced solar radiation, and lifestyle patterns at high altitudes may influence ocular growth.
Potential pathways include light-induced dopaminergic signaling, hypoxia-mediated molecular regulation, behavioral adaptations, circadian synchronization, and gene-environment interactions.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
No universally accepted altitude threshold for myopia research.
Existing evidence may not fully account for all environmental and genetic factors influencing myopia.
Conclusion:
Future research integrating environmental monitoring, longitudinal cohort studies, and multi-omics approaches is needed to explore altitude's role in myopia.
