A healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories can benefit the eyesight of nearsighted children. Foods like eggs, fatty fish, dark green leafy vegetables, and nuts are particularly beneficial for maintaining eye health.
Myopia, or nearsightedness, is a common refractive error that often develops in childhood. It causes difficulty in seeing distant objects clearly, while close objects are seen well. The onset of myopia typically occurs around 8-12 years of age, with puberty often exacerbating the condition. Fortunately, nearsightedness tends to stabilize around the age of 20.
Doctor Tran Thi Tra Phuong from Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi emphasizes the importance of a well-balanced nutritional regimen for children with myopia. This includes essential nutrient groups like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, lutein, zeaxanthin, and zinc can help support eye health and reduce the risk of worsening myopia.
Fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids that promote blood circulation to the eyes and protect them from damage caused by blue light and UV rays. Lean meats are rich in zinc, essential for transporting vitamin A to the retina and supporting vision enhancement.
Eggs contain vitamin A, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and antioxidants that help prevent eye conditions like night blindness and dryness. Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are loaded with lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins A, B, C, E, K, and antioxidants that can alleviate eye fatigue and improve vision.
Nuts are another great addition to a myopic child’s diet, as they provide omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, selenium, magnesium, and vitamin B12 that help protect the eyes and improve blood circulation. It’s essential for children with myopia to take breaks while studying or using electronic devices, get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and wear sunglasses outdoors.
For children 12 years and older, natural extracts like broccophane can be beneficial in supporting eye health. These extracts can protect retinal cells and the lens, improving symptoms such as blurred vision, dryness, fatigue, and pain while preventing vision loss. Regular eye check-ups and proper eye care practices are crucial for children with myopia to maintain good vision health.