Intense lighting in the evenings accelerates eye aging

The researchers assessed the level of light the participants were exposed to after sunset using special sensors. These data were then compared with information on the occurrence of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma.

It turned out that people who were more often exposed to bright evening light were more likely to develop eye diseases. The strongest association was observed with glaucoma: the risk increased by almost half. For age-related macular degeneration, the increase in risk was about 31%, and for cataracts it was about 18%.

The study authors suggest that artificial light in the evening disrupts circadian rhythms. This can contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and tissue damage in the eye, which accelerates age-related changes over time.

At the same time, scientists emphasize that their work revealed a statistical connection, and did not prove that it is evening lighting that directly causes eye diseases. More research is needed to confirm a cause-and-effect relationship.