Another Reason to Play Outside: Vitamin D May Lessen Myopia Risk

It should come as no surprise that myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea) can affect the learning abilities of children who have the conditions. Both can cause headaches, blurred vision and trouble reading at various distances.

Myopia and astigmatism are also the most common eye problems among children, according to the National Eye Institute. While both conditions are thought to be largely hereditary, there is growing documentation that factors including eye stress (such as that caused by spending long hours in front of a computer monitor) and health problems (such as diabetes) can contribute to myopia.

There is new evidence, however, that indicates spending more time outdoors may reduce the risk of developing myopia. The key is thought to be vitamin D, which numerous studies in recent years have shown most American children already aren’t getting enough of.

According to a study reported in the Feb. 25 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, researchers at The Ohio State University College of Optometry found a connection between myopia and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D receptor. SNPs are common genetic mutations that, in conjunction with one another, can increase the risk for a wide range of health conditions including cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis.

The Ohio State University study revealed an association between a specific SNP within the vitamin D receptor and low to moderate myopia. Although the study was conducted with Caucasian adults ages 21 to 69 with a median age of 47, the research suggests that people with myopia may not process vitamin D efficiently or may not receive enough vitamin D.

Sunlight accelerates your body’s ability to naturally produce vitamin D, and further studies are underway to hone in on the connection between vitamin D and better eyesight. One such recently launched research effort is in Singapore, where the National University Health System is conducting a one-year study to determine if spending more time outdoors—and increasing vitamin D—will prevent the onset of myopia in children between the ages of 6 and 10.

Although myopia is treatable with eyeglasses, contact lenses and LASIK surgery, a global increase in instances of myopia in children has spurred greater attention to the causes of and methods for combating nearsightedness. Untreated, myopia can contribute to glaucoma, cataracts, retinal tears and macular degeneration.

To learn more about treatment options for myopia, please contact the LASIK directory.