Short-sightedness, or myopia, is a very common eye condition that causes distant objects to appear blurred, while close objects can be seen clearly. As Dr Chris warned on ITV’s This Morning, “shortsightedness is on the rise due to a lack of time spent outside during childhood”. With screen time constantly increasing, the need to look after one’s eye health is vital. While there is “no clear evidence” that vitamins can aid eye health, a supplement formulation has shown the most promise.
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning, Dr Chris explained that supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin can improve macular health.
The macula is the central and most sensitive area of the so-called film.
It is responsible for collecting highly detailed images at the centre of the field of vision and sending them up the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets them as sight.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids – pigments produced by plants that give fruits and vegetables a yellow to reddish hue.
According to eye health body AllAboutVision, it is believed that lutein and zeaxanthin and in the macula block blue light from reaching the underlying structures in the retina.
This reduces the risk of light-induced oxidative damage that could lead to age-related macular degeneration, says the eye health body.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common condition that affects the middle part of your vision.
In fact, a number of studies have found that lutein and zeaxanthin either help prevent AMD or may slow progression of the disease.
AllAboutVision cites research published in Nutrition & Metabolism found that a nutritional supplement containing meso-zeaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin effectively increased the optical density of the macular pigment in eyes of the majority of human subjects.
The macular pigment is believed to offer protection against the development of macular degeneration.
What’s more, studies published in American Journal of Epidemiology, Ophthalmology and Archives of Ophthalmology found higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet are associated with a lower incidence of AMD.
Additionally, two studies published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science found that eyes with greater levels of macular pigments were less likely to have or develop macular degeneration.
Why is shortsightedness on the rise?
Doctor Chris ascribed the rise of shortsightedness to concerning changes in the way children lead their lives.
“Kids are indoors sitting in front of screens, spending a long time and close up, suffering eye strain,” he warned.
As a result, they becoming more prone to shortsightedness as they get older, Doctor Chris said.
Fortunately, increasing amount of time outdoors can delay shortsightedness in children, he added.