Abstract Myopia is the most common vision disorder in children and adolescents, and the incidence of myopia among children and adolescents in China ranks among the highest in the world. Existing research results show that lack of outdoor activities is a risk factor for myopia in children and adolescents. The underlying mechanism is closely related to the difference in duration, intensity and spectrum between outdoor and indoor lighting. Illumination is an important environmental factor affecting the occurrence and development of myopia in children and adolescents. Different illumination parameters, such as the intensity, time and spectrum composition of illumination, can affect the occurrence and development of myopia. In this paper, we reviewed the epidemiological studies and animal experiments on the relationship between exposure duration, intensity and spectrum of daylight and night light and myopia in children and adolescents, in an attempt to provide new clues for the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents.