Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the associations of myopia with ω-3 PUFAs and other dietary factors. Diet is an important modifiable environmental factor for ocular diseases. There have been reported in animal models, but not in humans, about the therapeutic effect of the dietary supplements of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) on myopia progression.
Methods :
This is a population-based cross-sectional study. 1005 participants aged 6 to 8 years from the Hong Kong Children Eye Study (HKCES) were included. All the children received comprehensive ocular examinations. Cycloplegia spherical equivalent (SE) refraction was assessed with an autorefractometer, and axial length (AL) by IOL Master. Diet was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Main outcomes include the association with myopia, SE and AL by quartile groups of ω-3 PUFAs and other nutrient intakes.
Results :
A lower intake of ω-3 PUFAs was associated with myopia (OR=0.67, P=0.08 for the third quartile group, and OR=0.53, P=0.007 for the fourth quartile group; overall p-trend=0.006). AL was longest in the lowest quartile group of ω-3 PUFAs intake, compared with the highest (adjusted mean [95% confidence interval], 23.29 [23.17–23.40] mm vs. 23.08 [22.96–23.19] mm, P=0.01; p-trend=0.02). Correspondingly, SE was the most myopic in the lowest quartile group of ω-3 PUFAs intake, compared with the highest (-0.13D [-0.32-0.07] D vs. 0.23 [0.03-0.42] D, P=0.01; p-trend=0.01). In contrast, AL was longest in the higher quartile group of saturated fatty acids (SFA) intake, compared to the lowest (23.30 [23.17–23.42] mm vs. 23.13 [23.01–23.24] mm, P=0.05; p-trend=0.04). SE was the most myopic in the highest quartile group of SFA intake, compared with the lowest (-0.12D [-0.33-0.09] D vs. 0.13 [-0.04-0.31] D, P=0.06; p-trend=0.04). None of the other nutrients were associated with SE or AL or myopia.
Conclusions :
Intake of ω-3 PUFAs is a protective factor against myopia, while higher SFA intake is associated with longer AL and more myopic SE in healthy Chinese Children. Our findings suggested a possible effect of diet on myopia, of which ω-3 PUFAs are potential and readily available candidates for myopia control.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.