Lutein Supplementation and Myopia Management

By Dr. Kevin -

 A study of 180 children (ages 8–12) in China found that taking a daily 8mg lutein ester supplement for six
months helped protect the eye’s choroid—the layer behind the retina that often becomes thinner as myopia worsens. Children who took lutein kept their choroidal thickness stable, even showing a tiny increase, while the placebo group showed noticeable thinning. The protective effect was similar to what short-term ortho-K treatment can do.

Lutein is a dietary antioxidant that filters blue light and supports retinal health. Researchers believe it may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the eye and may help improve blood flow in the choroid. The supplement did not change axial length or refractive error during the six months, which may be because the children had mild myopia and because these measures change slowly.

The study was limited to one school and didn’t examine lifestyle differences, so more research is needed. Still, the authors conclude that lutein could be a safe, affordable, and useful addition to myopia management, with longer studies needed to see if it slows true myopic progression.

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