A new international study is drawing attention to the possible relationship between children’s eating habits and myopia, adding another layer to the growing conversation around short-sightedness, lifestyle and long-term eye health.
The study, published in the Journal of Ophthalmology, examined dietary patterns among children and adolescents and investigated whether certain eating habits were associated with myopia. Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness or near-sightedness, occurs when distant objects appear blurry while near objects may remain clearer.
The findings are particularly relevant as childhood myopia continues to rise globally. Researchers and eye care professionals have already highlighted the role of reduced outdoor time, prolonged near work, screen use, genetics and education-related visual demands. The new research suggests that diet may also deserve attention as part of a broader lifestyle discussion.
The study analysed data from 24,797 children and adolescents. Parents reported dietary intake through a food frequency questionnaire, and researchers then identified dietary patterns and compared them with myopia status.
One dietary pattern, described by the researchers as a nuts, tubers and vegetables pattern, was characterised by higher intake of nuts, tuber vegetables, legumes, whole grains and aquatic products. Children with the highest adherence to this pattern had a slightly lower likelihood of myopia compared with those with the lowest adherence.
By contrast, a snack-heavy pattern of processed and high refined sugar products was associated with a higher likelihood of myopia. This pattern included fried and barbecued foods, fast foods and savoury snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages, desserts, sweet snacks and processed meats.
Gary Rodney, creator and founder of Smart Vision Optometry, is a Master of Optometry, Behavioural Optometrist, Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control, and has more than 30 years of clinical experience.
“This research is important because it reminds families that myopia should not be viewed only as a prescription problem,” Rodney said. “Glasses and contact lenses may help a child see clearly, but myopia management is about understanding the bigger picture. That includes visual habits, time outdoors, family history, near work, screen use, eye growth and now, increasingly, the possible role of diet.”
Rodney said the study should not be misread as saying diet alone can prevent or control myopia.
“We need to be careful and honest with parents,” Rodney said. “This was an association study, not proof that one particular food causes or prevents myopia. But it does support a very practical message. Children’s eye health sits within their overall health. A balanced lifestyle matters.”
The study’s authors noted that the snack-heavy dietary pattern remained associated with increased myopia risk even after adjusting for a range of confounding factors. However, they also acknowledged limitations, including the cross-sectional design of the study and the reliance on parent-reported food frequency information.
For families, the takeaway is not to panic about occasional treats. Rather, the research supports a wider conversation about healthy routines during childhood, especially for children who are already at risk of developing myopia or whose prescription is changing.
Jacquie Gattegno, principal senior optometrist at Eyes InDesign Smart Vision Optometry Bondi, is an experienced Behavioural Optometrist and Orthokeratologist.
“What I would say to parents is that myopia management is not one single thing,” Gattegno said. “It is usually a combination of good assessment, appropriate monitoring, evidence-informed treatment options, sensible visual habits, outdoor time and general wellbeing. Diet may be part of that overall picture, but it does not replace proper optometric care.”
Gattegno said many families first become aware of myopia when a child starts squinting, sitting closer to the television, struggling to see the board at school, moving digital screens closer, or complaining of headaches or tired eyes.
“Children often do not know how to explain what is happening,” Gattegno said. “They may not say, ‘I cannot see clearly at a distance.’ They may just avoid certain activities, lose confidence, or start adapting in subtle ways. That is why regular eye examinations are so important, particularly when parents notice behavioural changes.”
The new study sits within a growing body of research examining modifiable risk factors for childhood myopia. While genetics can play a significant role, environmental and lifestyle factors are also important. Longer periods of close work, reduced outdoor activity and increased educational pressure have all been discussed in relation to rising myopia rates.
Diet has historically received less attention than outdoor time or near work. However, researchers are increasingly exploring whether nutrition may influence eye development through pathways involving growth, metabolism, inflammation and tissue structure. The latest study does not provide final answers, but it does suggest the topic deserves further investigation.
Rodney said parents should avoid looking for a single cause.
“Myopia is rarely about one isolated factor,” Rodney said. “A child may have a family history, spend long periods on near tasks, have limited outdoor time, use screens heavily and have a diet that is not ideal. The clinical responsibility is to assess the child properly and then discuss practical, realistic ways to reduce risk and manage progression where possible.”
Smart Vision Optometry provides myopia management through its Bondi Beach and Mosman practices. Depending on the child and clinical findings, management may include regular monitoring, lifestyle advice, specialised spectacle lenses, contact lens options, Orthokeratology, also known as Ortho-K, or referral where appropriate.
Ortho-K involves the use of specially designed contact lenses worn overnight to gently reshape the front surface of the eye while the child sleeps. For suitable patients, this may allow clearer daytime vision without glasses or daytime contact lenses. Ortho-K may also be considered as part of a myopia management strategy, but it requires careful assessment, fitting, hygiene and follow-up.
“At Smart Vision Optometry, we do not treat Ortho-K as a quick product sale,” Gattegno said. “It is a clinical process. We need to understand the child’s prescription, eye shape, maturity, family routine, hygiene habits and whether the family can manage the ongoing responsibilities properly.”
The study’s findings also give parents another reason to think about the daily habits that surround their child’s visual development. A balanced diet rich in whole foods is already recommended for general health. If future research continues to support a connection between dietary patterns and myopia, nutrition may become an even more important part of eye health conversations.
For now, Smart Vision Optometry says parents should focus on practical, balanced steps. These include encouraging regular outdoor time, reducing long uninterrupted periods of close work, supporting healthy screen habits, booking regular eye examinations and seeking advice early if a child’s vision appears to be changing.
“The earlier we identify myopia, the better the conversation we can have,” Rodney said. “Parents should not wait until a child is struggling. A proactive approach gives us the opportunity to monitor change, explain risk and consider appropriate management options.”
Gattegno said the study adds to a helpful shift in how families think about children’s vision.
“For many years, parents were told that if a child becomes short-sighted, they simply need stronger glasses each time the prescription changes,” Gattegno said. “Modern myopia management is more proactive than that. We now look at the child’s visual development, risk factors, lifestyle and long-term eye health.”
The message for families is clear. Diet is not a standalone myopia treatment, but healthy eating may be one more part of a broader prevention and management conversation.
As childhood myopia continues to rise, Smart Vision Optometry is encouraging parents to take a proactive approach. If a child is squinting, moving closer to screens, struggling to see the board, complaining of headaches or showing signs of visual fatigue, a comprehensive eye examination can help identify whether myopia or another vision issue may be involved.To learn more about myopia management, children’s vision assessments or Ortho-K, book an appointment with Smart Vision Optometry, or call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.
