Discover the latest findings on eye supplements and myopia. While vitamin D, vitamin A, and zinc may not directly impact myopia, lutein and omega-3 show promise. Crocetin has shown the potential in helping slow myopia progression.
Have you wondered what vitamins or dietary supplements may help with your child’s myopia? Is lutein or omega-3 proven to be beneficial in myopia?
Join us as we navigate the complex findings surrounding myopia and nutrients. Let’s get ready to discover the science, debunk some myths, and gain valuable insights.Â
Macronutrients or micronutrients for myopia
Macronutrients and micronutrients are essential for maintaining a healthy body and promoting good eye health. Deficiencies in some of them such as vitamin D, vitamin A, and Zinc, as well as the consumption of high-carbohydrate diets, have been linked to a higher incidence of myopia or have been speculated to increase the likelihood of myopia .1 Let's explore them in more detail.
Can vitamin D help with myopia?
Vitamin D has been widely studied in relation to myopia, and multiple studies have indicated a potential correlation between lower vitamin D levels and the risk of developing myopia.2,3 However, studies showed mixed results regarding whether vitamin D is directly involved. Â
A study in 2016 discovered a link between low serum vitamin D levels and axial length, which is a significant risk factor for myopia. Interestingly, this association remained even after adjusting for outdoor time.2
On the other hand, a systematic review published in 2022 illustrated the results of several other studies’ findings. The review concluded that although blood vitamin D concentration is inversely associated with the risk of myopia, based on multiple studies looking at this from several perspectives, vitamin D levels may only be a biomarker for outdoor exposure. Further, it seems unlikely that vitamin D supplements will have a direct protective effect on myopia progression.4Â
Can vitamin A help with myopia?
Vitamin A, commonly referred to as retinol, plays a crucial role in eye health. Supplementation of the vitamin is known for its protective role against night blindness and corneal ulceration in vitamin A deficiency.5Â Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that vitamin A intake may influence myopia through a number of pathways. So, it's natural to wonder if vitamin A can also have an impact on myopia, a common eye condition.
However, the early findings from vitamin A studies have been inconclusive. A more recent study published in 2020 examined the association between dietary vitamin A intake during adolescence and the development of myopia in early adulthood also didn’t find a significant association between insufficient vitamin A intake and the presence of myopia.6
Can zinc help with myopia?
Zinc is a mineral that is highly concentrated in the tissues of the eye. It plays a role in various pathways that could potentially be relevant to the development and progression of myopia, leading to an interest in finding out if zinc helps with myopia. These pathways include the metabolism of vitamin A, transcriptional processes, and gene expression. Additionally, specific mutations in genes related to zinc regulation have also been linked to early-onset high myopia.7
Given the potential significance of zinc, researchers conducted studies to investigate its relationship with myopia. In a study looking at two different population-based studies published in 2020, researchers found there was no significant relationship between lower zinc intake or lower zinc levels in the blood and the presence of myopia.8
Can lutein help with myopia?
One of the best-known eye nutritional supplements is Lutein. Lutein is a natural pigment and a type of carotenoid, a group of nutrients found in various fruits and vegetables. It is commonly associated with eye health due to its presence in the retina, where it plays a role in protecting against harmful UV light and oxidative stress.
In a population study conducted in 2017, where researchers initially set out to explore the effects of ultraviolet B radiation exposure and serum vitamin D on myopia, they made an unexpected discovery regarding lutein.3
The study found that individuals with the highest 20% of lutein concentration in their blood had approximately 40% reduced odds of developing myopia. In contrast, the study didn’t show any significant association between ultraviolet B radiation exposure or serum vitamin D with myopia.3
While the findings surrounding lutein are promising, it is important to note that larger studies are still needed to confirm its benefits specifically for myopia progression.
Does high sugar diet lead to myopia?
The relationship between sugar and myopia has been debated within the medical community due to the mixed results from studies. Observational studies have indicated that diets high in carbohydrates with a high glycemic load and increased insulin levels may influence the genetic factors that impact the growth of the sclera and choroid in the eye. Consequently, these changes can potentially affect ocular growth and lead to myopia.9
However, it is important to note that while an increase in insulin levels has been associated with myopia incidences and changes in axial length, and research also has led to several plausible mechanisms, there is currently no definitive evidence suggesting a causal relationship.10
Additionally, for the proposed insulin hypothesis to be held, we should expect associations between height, weight, and obesity with myopia. When researchers compared dietary status and myopia in different countries, the prevalence of myopia does not consistently align with variations in mean height or obesity rates. This suggests that there is limited support for a direct biological link between myopia and factors such as height or obesity.10
Further, even though evidence suggests an increased risk of myopia development with increased insulin levels, the same does not apply to carbohydrates.11 Further studies with improved design are required to fully understand the complex relationship between carbohydrates, insulin, and myopia.
Until a better understanding can be uncovered, medical experts recommend that you should ensure that your child maintains a well-balanced diet for their overall health and growth -- high sugar and low carb diets are not recommended. This includes avoiding added sugars and consuming an appropriate amount of nutrient-rich carbohydrates and fibers, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lentils, peas, and beans.12Â
So, are there macronutrient or micronutrient supplements that can help with myopia?
While nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin A, zinc, and carbohydrates have received significant attention due to their potential link to myopia, let’s also have a look at other macronutrients and micronutrients that were studied as well.
In a study published in 2021 involving multi-ethnic children (933 eyes), researchers examined the dietary intake of these children at the age of 5 and evaluated ocular measures when they reached the age of 9. The study encompassed a wide range of macronutrients, including total energy, carbohydrates, protein, and different types of fats. Additionally, the study also looked into various micronutrients, such as vitamin A, beta-carotene, cholesterol, calcium, iron, and dietary fiber. The findings of this study revealed that the intake of these dietary factors did not show any significant association with the development of myopia.13Â
Dietary supplements that may have an impact on myopia
What about is there a dietary supplement that is not a vitamin or mineral that may have an impact on the development of myopia or its progression? Â
Can omega 3 help with myopia?
Recent studies have provided some evidence suggesting that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could play a protective role in myopia. A study conducted in 2021 investigated the therapeutic effects of dietary supplements containing omega-3 on myopia progression in animal models. Additionally, the study examined the impact of these supplements on decreases in choroidal blood perfusion (ChBP), which can be caused by near work and is considered a risk factor for myopia in young adults.14
The findings of this study were quite remarkable. It demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), might suppress the development of myopia. Moreover, it inhibited the decrease in choroidal blood perfusion associated with myopia and alleviated oxygen deficiency in the sclera. Interestingly, the dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA 600 mg plus EPA 120 mg) partially mitigated the decrease in choroidal blood perfusion induced by near work.14
While these results are promising, it is important to note that further research is needed, particularly large randomized controlled trials, to establish a conclusive link between the administration of omega-3 and myopia.
Can crocetin help with myopia?
In recent years, researchers have been investigating the potential benefits of a natural compound called crocetin in controlling myopia.
But what exactly is crocetin? Crocetin is an active compound found in saffron and Gardenia jasminoides, which are used in traditional herbal medicine. It has shown promise in small-scale studies for its potential role in suppressing myopia progression in children.15
Interestingly, the identification of the compound was due to advancement in the understanding of violet light on the genetics of myopia. Violet light has been found to have a beneficial impact on myopia. Researchers discovered that exposure to violet light upregulated a specific gene called early growth response 1 (Egr1), which acts as a suppressive agent for myopia by regulating the growth of the eye.15
It was identified that crocetin had the highest activation of Egr1 among hundreds of compounds screened. This activation was also found to be dose-dependent, meaning that the effect of crocetin on myopia suppression could be influenced by the amount consumed.15
A small-scale two-year clinical trial was conducted involving 69 participants aged 6 to 12 years. The results showed promising outcomes. The change in spherical equivalent refraction in the placebo group, which received no crocetin supplementation, was significantly more compared to the group that received crocetin (7.5 mg once a day). Additionally, the axial length elongation was significantly smaller in the crocetin group compared to the placebo group.15
While these findings are encouraging, it is important to note that similar to omega-3 or lutein larger-scale studies are still needed to confirm the effectiveness of crocetin in controlling myopia progression.
Can chocolate help with myopia?
To understand why chocolate has been said to help with myopia, we need to understand a myopia control treatment that has been approved in Denmark called 7-methylxanthine (MX) tablets.16
7-MX is a metabolite of caffeine, which can be found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and other sources. Research has shown that 7-MX increases the collagen content in the sclera (the white outer layer of the eye) and has repeatedly demonstrated its potential in counteracting the development of myopia in animals.16
A recent longitudinal analysis, published in 2022, examined the long-term effects of 7-MX treatment in Denmark. The treatment was associated with reduced myopia progression and reduced axial elongation.17
Naturally, this leads us to the question: Can indulging in chocolate, thus caffeine, yield at least some protective benefits for myopia?Â
While the effectiveness of 7-MX treatment in slowing down myopia progression has been demonstrated, simply increasing caffeine intake has not been shown to produce the same outcomes. In fact, a comprehensive analysis, based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) datasets over five years, did not find significant evidence linking caffeine intake to myopia reduction.18
This suggests while caffeine is a source of 7-MX, it could be that the natural breakdown process of caffeine in the body may not produce sufficient amounts or have the same effect.Â
Key Takeaways
The latest research indicates that there is no strong association between myopia and vitamins A and D, zinc, and sugar levels. However, lutein and omega-3 have displayed promising early results in reducing the risks of myopia development. Additionally, a small study has shown that crocetin can slow the progression of myopia. Nevertheless, further extensive studies are necessary to confirm the effectiveness of these dietary supplements.
It is crucial to recognize that dietary supplements contain substances that can significantly impact the body. Merely because they do not require a prescription does not mean they don’t have risk. Many supplements may interact with medications, interfere with clinic lab tests, or potentially lead to health problems if consumed excessively.
Therefore, it is always advisable to consult with a doctor or healthcare professional before initiating any supplement intake.
As a last note, and some positive light, even though chocolate may not directly help with myopia, it could definitely serve as a delightful reward for encouraging your child to have more outdoor time!
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