Xiaomei, who has just entered junior high school, has more than 600 degrees of myopia. The parents are very anxious and want to help their children to correct their vision. They heard that taking lutein can treat myopia, so they bought it without hesitation.
Especially in recent years, the epidemic has been repeated repeatedly, and children need to take online lessons at home. Many parents have bought lutein supplements or health care products for their children in order to prevent their children from myopia. I often receive inquiries from parents.
Can lutein really prevent or treat myopia as rumored?
What is Lutein? What is the effect?
Let’s first look at what lutein is.
Lutein is one of the important pigments concentrated in the macula of the eye, and central vision is mediated by cells in the macula.
Macula functions include lutein, zeaxanthin and racemic zeaxanthin. Among them, zeaxanthin and lutein cannot be synthesized by the human body independently, and must be obtained through the usual diet, and the content is relatively rich in green leafy vegetables.
Lutein can effectively absorb blue light in the retina, inhibit the generation of free radicals, and is the first “big contributor” to maintain our eye health.
Lutein is really good for children’s eyes at this level.
Can Lutein Really Improve Children’s Vision?
Since lutein plays such an important role in the human macula, does that mean that lutein can prevent and alleviate myopia? Is it possible to improve vision and avoid myopia by supplementing lutein?
According to the relevant literature on lutein and myopia, there is no relevant data on children taking lutein to improve their vision, and even the relevant information on adults is relatively rare.
A 2012 study showed that people with myopia within 400 degrees who took lutein supplements for 3 months had an increase in macular pigment concentrations, while those above 400 degrees but no change.
A 2017 study of people over the age of 65 found that people with high blood levels of lutein had a lower risk of myopia.
While the above studies suggest that lutein can help people’s vision, it is only for some people. And of these only studies, the numbers of people involved were small, and there were no studies that focused entirely on children.
Furthermore, there are no clear research results on whether taking lutein supplements will have any side effects.
Therefore, whether additional lutein supplementation is effective for the prevention and improvement of myopia in children has not been supported by definite theoretical theory.
However, based on the benefits of lutein for the eyes, it is possible to obtain lutein from your daily diet.
Vegetables and fruits such as spinach, corn, peppers, kiwi, grapes, and pumpkins are rich in lutein, and these are healthy foods in themselves. Children eat a little more, which is good for the body. is beneficial.
As for additional supplementation, there is currently no safe dosage recommendation for children, and parents are advised to be cautious.
5 magic weapons to prevent myopia in children
If you want to prevent children’s myopia, the more important thing is to do a good job of prevention and control in your life. Here are 5 magic weapons:
Sunglasses when going out
The American Academy of Optometry has shown that children’s eyes are more transparent than adults, and UV rays can reach the retina more easily. Especially when going out in summer, the hot sun is just above the head. Wearing sunglasses for children can better block the strong light and protect the eyes.
Reduce or avoid close eye contact
Whether reading paper books or electronic products, be careful not to use your eyes for a long time, or try to avoid using your eyes at close range, which can reduce the risk of myopia.
Pay attention to developing good eye habitsp>
Note that every time you use your eyes at close range for about 20 minutes, you can look at the green scenery 6 meters away for 20 seconds.
1-2 hours of outdoor activities per day
According to recent research, children spend more time outdoors and have less risk of myopia. Parents should take their babies out for more walks when they have time.
Regular eye exams
School-aged children over 6 years old are recommended to have a comprehensive eye examination every year, including visual acuity, optometry, dilated optometry, fundus examination and axial length and other related items.
After discovering myopia, don’t worry too much. Follow the doctor’s guidance. Generally, review your vision every 3 months, and adjust the plan in time according to the actual situation.
Supplements or nutritional products, the real factor that can prevent and reduce myopia in children is the child itself. May parents, scientific parenting, pay more attention to children’s eye hygiene, actively go out to exercise, and have a balanced diet, so that children can grow up healthily with the care of their parents.