Say goodbye to glasses? How omega-3s might be the key to preventing childhood myopia!

With increasing digitalisation and changing lifestyle patterns, more children are struggling to see clearly from afar. The prevalence of myopia, or nearsightedness, is rising at an alarming pace, affecting millions of children globally.

However, a new study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology has now revealed a surprising trend in children’s eye health: dietary patterns may influence the risk and progression of myopia, or nearsightedness. The research suggests that higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids may help protect against myopia, while diets rich in saturated fats could increase the likelihood of developing the condition.  

This finding is particularly significant, as myopia is rising globally, particularly among children. A 2024 global analysis of 5,410,945 participants from 50 countries, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, underscores the scale of the challenge. The study concluded that “the global prevalence of childhood myopia is substantial, affecting approximately one-third of children and adolescents, with notable variations in prevalence across different demographic groups. It is anticipated that the global incidence of myopia will exceed 740 million cases by 2050.” 

In India, too, myopia is on the rise due to increasing screen time, urban lifestyle patterns, and academic pressures. "The prevalence of myopia in 5 to 15‐year‐old urban children increased from 4.44 per cent in 1999 to 21.15 per cent in 2019.  Our predictions, based on the slope of 0.8 per cent every year (4.05 per cent for every 5 years) indicate that the prevalence of myopia will increase to 31.89 per cent in 2030, 40.01 per cent in 2040 and 48.14 per cent in 2050," according to a study, which added that "the prevalence of myopia will increase to 31.89 per cent in 2030, 40.01 per cent in 2040 and 48.14 per cent in 2050," unless preventive measures and lifestyle changes are actively adopted.  

Considering the increasing prevalence of myopia worldwide, it is crucial to understand what myopia is, what causes it, how it affects children, and what interventions, including lifestyle and dietary choices, can help preserve vision, and is this new study on omega-3 intake truly applicable for children in practical, everyday settings? 

What is myopia?

Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is an eye condition in which objects that are close appear clear, but distant objects appear blurred. This occurs when the eye’s shape causes light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. 

Myopia is one of the most common refractive errors worldwide, affecting both children and adults. Simple myopia can often be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery, while pathologic or degenerative myopia, which is less common, can lead to severe vision impairment even with corrective lenses. The condition typically develops in childhood and may worsen as the eye grows, often stabilising by late adolescence. 

What are the causes and symptoms of myopia?

Myopia arises from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Children with one or both parents affected by myopia are more likely to develop the condition. Environmental contributors include excessive near work, such as reading or prolonged screen time, and insufficient time spent outdoors.  

Ethnicity also plays a role, with certain populations demonstrating higher prevalence rates. "In children from similar sociodemographic backgrounds attending the same schools, South Asian children were nine times more likely to be myopic and black African Caribbeans three times more likely, compared with white Europeans. Ethnic differences in environmental susceptibility to myopia may be explained by genetics or early life exposures," according to a 2010 study.

  

Symptoms of myopia can include blurred vision when looking at distant objects, clear vision for close tasks, eye strain, headaches, squinting, and fatigue, especially during activities such as driving, sports, or reading from a distance. In children, additional signs may include poor academic performance, shortened attention span, and the habit of holding objects close to the face. While most cases are mild and manageable, severe myopia can lead to complications, including cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and optic neuropathy. 

What the study found

The Hong Kong Children Eye Study aimed to explore whether dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and saturated fats could influence the risk and progression of myopia in children. A total of 1,005 participants, aged between six and eight years, were randomly recruited from the population and assessed for ocular health, diet, and lifestyle factors such as time spent outdoors, screen exposure, and near work activities. Using detailed food frequency questionnaires, the researchers calculated the participants’ intake of energy, macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals. 

The results demonstrated a clear connection between diet and eye health. Children in the lowest 25 per cent of omega-3 intake had the longest axial length, a key indicator of myopia progression, while those in the highest quartile had the shortest axial length. Similarly, cycloplegic spherical equivalent, which measures refractive error, was highest among children with low omega-3 intake and lowest among those with high intake. In contrast, children consuming the most saturated fats exhibited longer axial length and greater myopia, underscoring the potential harm of such dietary components. 

While the study was done on children from Hong Kong, it also compared its findings with earlier research from other locations, establishing its wider relevance. “Our finding of the association between longer AL and high intake of SFAs was consistent with a previous study in Singapore. Saturated fat is a known antagonist of insulin and a contributor to insulin resistance, so our findings lend some support to the hyperinsulinaemic theory. Previous links between protein intake and myopia were inconsistent and weak,” the study noted. 

Adding context, the researchers highlighted earlier evidence suggesting a possible dietary link. “A study in the UK showed that myopic children, when treated with a high animal protein diet, displayed slower progression of myopia than the controls. A study carried out on young adults in India found a higher prevalence of myopia among vegetarians than non-vegetarians, indicating a potential relationship between myopia and protein. Our findings showed a lack of associations between protein and myopia,” the study adds.

It also referred to recent animal models that had shown the therapeutic effects of omega-3 fatty acids on myopia. Summing up their observations, the authors concluded, “Intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) is a protective factor against myopia, while higher SFA intake is a risk factor. Our findings indicated a possible effect of diet on myopia, of which ω-3 PUFAs intake may play a protective role against myopia development in children.” 

This research provides important human evidence suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids could help slow the progression of myopia by improving blood flow through the choroid, the vascular layer of the eye, thereby preventing scleral hypoxia, a key factor in the development of nearsightedness. While the study is observational and cannot prove causation, it marks a crucial step in understanding how nutrition and lifestyle can shape children’s visual health. 

 

Doctors call for more proof

Commenting on the findings, Dr Uma Mallaiah, Ophthalmologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, who has over 28 years of experience, said that the current evidence is still too limited to draw conclusions. “We need more studies before we can comment on it. At the moment, with the limited information we have, we cannot prove or disprove the same,” she said. 

“In the older generation, where they have age-related macular degeneration and such conditions, omega-3 is supposed to play a role. Even that is not so proven, frankly speaking. But all these things are good for your general health anyway," she added.  

Dr Mallaiah emphasised that myopia prevention itself is challenging and that early detection plays a far more crucial role. “It is important for all parents to get at least one eye check done when the child first joins school and again around five or six years of age, because at that stage, the child may not be able to express vision problems,” she noted. Timely diagnosis and corrective glasses, she added, can also prevent worsening, eye strain, and amblyopia, which is more commonly known as the lazy eye. 

She also advised maintaining a balanced home-cooked diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts while limiting junk food. “A good healthy diet is the best. I do not believe in giving supplements in terms of capsules and tablets, especially to children. As long as the food is healthy and balanced, that’s enough,” she said.  

Echoing this caution, Dr Nusrat Bukhari, Ophthalmologist at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Mumbai, said, “The link between omega-3 fatty acids and protection against myopia, or saturated fats increasing risk, does not have concrete proof. There is no solid evidence available regarding this.” She added that while omega-3s may support general eye health, “diet may not play a huge role in slowing myopia progression. Excessive screen time is a more significant factor.” 

Dr Bukhari recommended that parents ensure their children play outdoors daily for at least 1–2 hours. She also advised limiting screen time and taking children for regular eye check-ups. According to her, a diet consisting of omega-3s, vitamin A, leafy greens, fruits, nuts, and dairy can help protect vision. 

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.  

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