Glaucoma is the “sneak thief of your sight” since it usually has no symptoms of pain or blurred vision until it is too late. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness world wide. Currently the means of treating glaucoma is by lowering the intraocular pressure to an acceptable level to reduce optic nerve damage and blindness. Treatment by Optometrists and Ophthalmologists consists of medication both oral and topical and different types of surgical intervention. Some procedures are minimally invasive and some are more invasive. Many intergrative primary eye care providers are big advocates of the least amount of surgery and medication the best. Wouldnt it be nice to have some evidence based nutrients to help support the health of the optic nerve and potentially decrease the advancements of glaucoma?
Over the last decade more and more data is surfacing on natural and nutritional therapies to potentially lower intraocular pressure and aid in neuro protection of the optic nerve, nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer. Some of the very latest in nutritional ingredients gaining a lot of attention to support glaucoma are Mirtogenol (Pine bark extrat and bilberry), Cognizine (patented form of citicholine), omega 3 fish oil, saffron, Neumentix (spearment extract) and forms of niacinamide(NMN, NR and NAM).
This article will focus on omega 3 for glaucoma. Omega 3 is possibly the most studied nutrient on the planet and its positive health benefits have been written about for years and years. Studies validate the positive health benefits of omega 3 for the heart, brain, joints, eyes, skin, hair, muscles and much more. We know omega 3 is one of the best nutrients for eye health. Doctors in tune with nutrition recommend omega 3 for dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and many other inflammatory conditions in the eye. Now glaucoma may be a serious eye condition that may benefit from the correct dosing and form of omega 3.
Recent studies indicate 1500 mg (combined EPA and DHA) of omega 3 fish oil significantly lowers intra ocular pressure during a 3-month period in young non glaucomatous participants. This study produced an 8% lower intra ocular pressure after the 3 months of taking the omega 3 fish oil. Another study with rats saw a 23% lowering of intra ocular pressure while on omega 3. The mechanism of action for omega 3 and glaucoma is not fully understood at this time. There are many theories on how omega 3 can lower eye pressure and potentially have neuro protection to the optic nerve. —https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Glaucoma patients tend to have lower omega 3 levels in their blood. A recent study found that increased levels of daily dietary consumption of omega 3 were associated with lower likelihood of a diagnosis of glaucoma.
A study showed patients with glaucoma had increased visual fields after three months of omega 3 supplementation https://onlinelibrary.wiley.
The latest research published June 2023 states that higher levels of diglycerides and triglycerides in the blood were associated with an increased risk of glaucoma. The adverse association of these specific elevated lipids and glaucoma is is a crucial piece of the puzzle when planning an integrative treatment protocol for glaucoma patients. One of the best ways to lower these lipids is by using appropriate levels of omega 3 fish oil. Omega 3 fatty acids can significantly lower blood triglycerides. The question that remains to be answered is will lowering these lipids naturally via omega 3 fish oil or medically via a medication decrease the risk of glaucoma?? This seems logical but more studies will need to be done to prove this theory.
There is significant evidence that omega 3 is a very good nutrient to consider for anyone that maybe suspicious for glaucoma or actually have glaucoma. Omega 3 fish oil is extremely safe if taken in the recommended dosing and is readily available at a minimal expense. — https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2023/patients-with-specific-types-of-lipids-may-be-at-higher-risk-of-developing-blinding-eye-disease
However all omega 3 is not created equal. The majority of omega 3 sold OTC is an ethyl ester form of omega 3. This form has ethanol attached to the backbone and must pass through your liver on a daily basis to cleave off the ethanol and replace a triglyceride backbone so it can absorb into your blood stream. This form of omega 3 is very unstable, absorbs poorly and goes rancid quickly. A better form of omega 3 that has been studied extensively is an rTG or TG form Omega 3 that already has a triglyceride backbone so it absorbs much quicker without passing through the liver. This form of omega 3 does not have a nasty fish taste or smell and absorbs 3-4 times quicker than the EE form (ethyl ester).
The highest quality omega 3 fish oil is coming out of Norway. One of the most Doctor recommended rTG form omega 3 fish oils in the eyecare industry is Fortifeye Super Omega and Fortifeye Super Omega 3 Max.
When looking for a good omega 3 fish oil make sure it is the rTG or TG form and it is a product of Norway. Finally look for levels between 1600 and 2400 mg of omega 3 per 2 gel cap servings. Eye Doctors (optometric physicians, optometrists, ophthalmologists) if not already should be recommending omega 3 supplements to their patients with dry eye, macular degeneration, diabetes and now glaucoma.
