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More U.S. kids than ever are nearsighted -- it affected about 25% in the early '70s and by 2000, it hit 42%. A lot of the blame is placed on screen time. Kids now spend an average of 7.5 hours a day staring at a digital image only a few inches from their faces. No wonder the world seems blurry when they finally look up.

But there might be another culprit staring us right in the eye: Excess saturated fat in kids' diet and too few omega-3s. A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology looked at 6 to 8 year olds and found that kids with the highest amount of saturated fats in their diets were the most likely to become nearsighted, those with the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids were least likely. Why? Over the long term, saturated fats contribute to restricted blood flow, even in the eye, while omega-3s increase it in a vascular layer that delivers nutrients and oxygen to the eye, preventing nearsightedness. Omega-3s are found in salmon, ocean trout, avocados, sardines, anchovies and herring, flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts.

Other important nutrients for kids' -- and adults' -- eyes: foods rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin. They're in citrus, berries, tomatoes, broccoli, red and green peppers, almonds, leafy green vegetables, and colorful fruits.

So do your kids (and yourself) a favor and upgrade your diets to include these healthy, tasty foods, and ditch red and processed red meats, fried foods and saturated fat-loaded sauces. You'll see the rewards!

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.