Mineral elements in the hair of amblyopic children.

Amblyopia is a common cause of vision damage in children, and some aspects of its etiology are not clear. A number of mineral elements have important effects on the nerve and visual nerve systems. However, little is known about the relationship between amblyopia and nutritional mineral elements. In this study, hair samples were collected from 67 children with amblyopia and 57 age-matched control groups. The height and weight of each child was measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Mineral elements were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The calcium and magnesium levels in the hair of amblyopic children were higher (p < 0.006), but the level of manganese were lower compared with those in the control groups (p < 0.006). Other elements measured were found to have an insignificant difference between the two groups (p > 0.006). The BMI of amblyopic children was higher (p < 0.001). These results show that mineral elements may play an important role in the visual development of children. Therefore, studies should pay more attention to investigating the impact of mineral elements on child vision.