The Role of Antioxidants in Child Eye Health with a Focus on Myopia

The role of antioxidants in pediatric eye health remains an underexplored area, particularly in the prevention and management of refractive errors. According to the World Health Organization, refractive errors are the leading cause of visual impairment among children globally, with myopia being the most prevalent and significant contributor. Oxidative stress and ocular hypoxia are key factors in myopia development and progression. Vision impairment resulting from myopia and associated ocular diseases can have profound consequences, affecting educational performance, psychosocial development, and daily activities. Antioxidant supplementation has been proposed as a potential strategy to counteract the effects of reactive oxygen species and support ocular health. This literature review examines the therapeutic potential of antioxidants-vitamin A, vitamin D, lutein, crocetin, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium- in mitigating myopia progression. Despite their promising protective effects, the clinical impact of these supplements remains a subject of debate. While experimental studies have demonstrated beneficial outcomes, further large-scale randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish their efficacy and determine optimal dosing for clinical application.