Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Visual Acuity

To determine the impact of Omega-3 fatty acids on infant visual development, infants were fed human milk (naturally rich in Omega-3), or corn oil based formula. At 4 months of age, both pre-term and full-term human milk-fed infants had significantly better visual evoked potential (VEP) and forced-choice preferential-looking (FPL) acuity than formula-fed infants. Acuity was correlated with a dietary Omega-3 sufficiency index from red blood cell membranes obtained at 57 weeks postconception. At 36 months, full-term human milk-fed children had significantly better random dot stereo acuity and letter matching ability than formula-fed children. Stereo acuity and performance on the letter-matching test were correlated with a dietary Omega-3 sufficiency index from red blood cell membranes obtained at 4 months. These results suggest that dietary Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in visual development.

References:
1. Birch E, Birch D, Hoffman D, Hale L, Everett M, Uauy R: Breast-feeding and optimal visual development.

2. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 1993 Jan-Feb 30:1 33-8 Volume 30/Issue 1. Retina Foundation of the Southwest, Dallas.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration

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