Supplements did not consistently slow short-sightedness in a trial review
Some supplements improved visual measures or eye fatigue, but the review found no consistent, clinically meaningful slowing of myopia progression.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found some improvements in visual function and fatigue with nutritional supplements, but no consistent clinically meaningful reduction in myopia progression. A pediatric trial reported slightly less eye elongation, an outcome related to eye growth. That isolated result does not establish a reliable effect across the different supplements and populations studied.
Trials were generally small, short and varied in their methods and supplements. The abstract provides no numerical effect estimates, making the size and durability of the reported changes difficult to assess.
What researchers found
Myopia progression
Supplements versus placebo or active controls across generally short trials; exact follow-up periods are not specified.
What showed some improvement
Reported benefits included changes in macular pigment measurements, less visual fatigue, better contrast sensitivity in dim light and improved focusing flexibility. These outcomes describe different aspects of vision and symptoms, so they should be considered separately.
Symptoms and progression differ
Feeling less eye strain or performing better on a visual test does not by itself show that short-sightedness is progressing more slowly. The review's overall conclusion remained uncertain about supplementation as a way to slow progression.
The original publication
Nutritional Supplementation for Myopia Prevention and Control: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Martinez-Perez C, Oliveira AP
Nutrients · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41515122
- Record checked
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