A new global study has identified Reykjavik in Iceland as the best place in the world to live for maintaining healthy eyesight, highlighting how environmental factors – from air quality to urban design – play a critical role in long-term vision.
The report, released in March 2026 by eyewear company Overnight Glasses, comes amid growing concern over global eye health.
An estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide are living with some form of vision impairment, according to international health data cited in the study.
Environment Matters More Than You Think
Researchers evaluated cities using a composite “Eye Health Score,” factoring in air pollution, ultraviolet (UV) exposure, humidity, access to green space, and the availability of eye care professionals.
Reykjavik ranked first due to a rare combination of environmental advantages: exceptionally clean air (AQI 19), low UV exposure (index 1.7), and moderate humidity levels that help prevent dry eyes.
The Icelandic capital also maintains strong access to care, with about 12 eye specialists per 100,000 residents. Fewer than 2% of its population experiences vision loss.
Nordic cities dominated the rankings, with Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki all placing in the top six. These cities share key characteristics: low pollution, abundant green space, and relatively mild sunlight exposure.
Stockholm, ranked second, stood out for its extensive parks, offering residents significantly more green space than most global cities. Researchers noted that time spent outdoors – particularly in natural light – can reduce eye strain and may slow the progression of myopia.
Oslo followed closely, boasting the highest density of eye care professionals among Scandinavian cities, with 15 specialists per 100,000 residents. Its clean air and accessible healthcare infrastructure contribute to consistently low levels of eye irritation and untreated vision conditions.
Access to Care and Urban Planning
Outside Europe, Canberra, the capital city of Australia, ranked fourth, emerging as the highest-performing non-European city. With an impressive 420 square meters of green space per resident and low pollution levels, Canberra demonstrates how urban planning can directly influence public health outcomes.
Swiss cities Zurich and Geneva also performed strongly, particularly in access to eye care. Both cities reported among the highest concentrations of optometrists and ophthalmologists globally, reducing wait times and improving early diagnosis rates.
“Most people associate eye health with screen time or genetics, but the urban environment you live in can have just as much effect in the long term,” an ophthalmology specialist involved in the study said.
“Clean air protects the surface of the eye, while regular exposure to natural light appears to slow myopia progression, especially in younger populations. And when access to care is limited, many people simply delay checkups, increasing the risk of undiagnosed conditions.”
A Broader Public Health Signal
The findings suggest that eye health should be viewed not only as a medical issue but also as an urban policy concern. Cities with better environmental conditions and healthcare access consistently reported lower rates of vision loss, typically around or below 2% of the population.
By contrast, areas with higher pollution, excessive UV exposure, and limited access to care tend to see greater prevalence of preventable eye conditions.
As global urbanisation accelerates, researchers argue that integrating green spaces, improving air quality, and expanding access to healthcare services could play a decisive role in preserving vision for millions.
By Winston Mwale, AfricaBrief