Rich Diet Help Protect Children Against Nearsightedness: Study Finds

A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish oils, may lower the risk of developing nearsightedness (myopia) in children, while a high intake of saturated fats may increase the risk, according to new research published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. The findings provide some of the first human evidence supporting a potential protective role for omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in eye development. The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally, with projections suggesting that nearly half the world’s population could be affected by 2050. Researchers studied 1,005 Chinese children aged 6 to 8 from the population-based Hong Kong Children Eye Study. Participants’ eyesight was measured alongside a detailed food frequency questionnaire completed by their parents, capturing intake from 280 food items. The study also accounted for lifestyle factors such as screen time, outdoor activity, and parental history of myopia. Around 27.5% of the children were found to have myopia. Analysis showed that higher dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids was associated with shorter axial length, a key indicator of slower myopia progression and better spherical equivalent (SE) scores. In contrast, higher saturated fat intake correlated with longer axial length and worse spherical equivalent scores, suggesting a greater risk of nearsightedness. “This study provides the human evidence that higher dietary ω-3 PUFA intake is associated with shorter axial length and less myopic refraction, highlighting ω-3 PUFAs as a potential protective dietary factor against myopia development,” the researchers concluded. They suggest omega-3s may improve blood flow in the eye's vascular layer, potentially preventing oxygen deficiency—a key driver in myopia development. Further research across diverse populations will be needed to validate these findings.