More U.S. kids than ever are nearsighted. The condition affected about 25% in the early 1970s, 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 other culprits staring us straight in the face: Excess saturated fat in kids' diet, and too few omega-3s.

A study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology looked at kids 6 to 8 years old and found that those with the highest amount of saturated fats in their diet were the most likely to become nearsighted, while those with the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids were least likely.

Why is this?

In 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 include vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These are found in citrus, berries, tomatoes, broccoli, red and green peppers, almonds, leafy green vegetables, and other colorful fruits.

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