Supplements that may help with glaucoma

[Spanieldoglover]

Hi all, I was reading the recent Glaucoma Uk magazine and there was an article on research relating to vitamin B3 and glaucoma. As I am recently diagnosed with glaucoma (but sadly I have had it without knowing for years) I thought I would ask this forum, with your wealth of knowledge, are there particular supplements that are recommended we take that may be helpful?

[Nonswimmer]

There are many vitamin suplements available, I take Lutein 6mg each day purchased from a health food shop.

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Nonswimmer]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

I have recently heard that taking baicalein can lower the pressure I haven't used it myself yet but if my pressure is too high at next appointment will give it a try. Are you looking to lower the pressure or for optic nerve support?

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Hidden]

Both really.

[Hidden in reply to Spanieldoglover]

Ok me too. I hope you find something that works. It's really high time for a breakthrough in finding a cure ay

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I will look into baicalein. I’ve started taking vitamin B3. Let’s hope they do have a breakthrough soon 🤞

[Sussex-M]

Having read about the B3 Nicotinamide study in Auz 6 months or so ago I started taking 6grams a day and like you am hoping it has the nerve benefits the study gave hope for. My consultant confirmed last week that funding for the next trial is secured. To give some context they indicated that definitive results on the benefits, most effective dosage etc…. could be 5 years away. He advocates taking the supplement and just warned about its use by heavy drinkers.

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Sussex-M]

Hi, that’s good news that the next trial is secured. How do you take yours? I just bought capsules which are 500mg and I take one a day, sounds like I may need to take more. I am seeing my consultant on Tuesday so will be interesting to see what he has to say about it too.

[Sussex-M in reply to Spanieldoglover]

I’m glad you responded, on re-reading I should have said I take 6 x 500mg tablets a day which is 3grams the amount in the study! 3 in the morning, 3 in the evening with meals. Here is a link to some study info medrxiv.org/content/10.1101...

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Sussex-M]

Thank you for the link to the study. It’s really positive that they have found the supplements have led to improvements. I know it’s early days, but it’s good to have hope and if they really can help to slow down the progression of Glaucoma that would be fantastic. I’m in my 50s so obviously this is something I worry about as it seems likely I have had glaucoma for a number of years.

[Sussex-M in reply to Spanieldoglover]

We are of a similar age. I can’t say for definite I have had improvements, but having progressed from Ocular Hypertension to a Glaucoma diagnosis this year with a level of visual field loss, my current drop regime and some SLT have got my pressures into the mid teens and as part of my new regime of taking the B3 Nicotinamide has seen my latest 6 monthly check up come back with a confirmation of no deterioration, so I will be continuing with the supplement.

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Sussex-M]

That’s really good news that your pressures have come down and things are stable! If it’s working for you then you definitely need to continue. I only found out about the glaucoma when I went to have my cataracts done, so my first visual field test is on Tuesday, when I will find out if I have any vision loss. The consultant has told me I have considerable nerve damage and he would have liked to see me at least 5 years ago so I will not be surprised if there is some loss, I am just hoping it is not too much.

I can’t see that taking the supplements is going to be harmful and if there’s a chance they can help then it’s worth it.

Here’s hoping that things stay as they are for you.

[Sussex-M in reply to Spanieldoglover]

Thank you and hopefully you will find that your vision loss is minimal. Such a sneaky disease, symptom less on the whole at the beginning and no appreciation for most of any vision loss until the damage is quite advanced. Your Consultant sounds switched on and is clearly keen to get you fully assessed and on an effective treatment plan.

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Sussex-M]

Thank you. Yes my consultant appears to be very good. It is indeed a sneaky disease, but at least now we’re both getting the treatment we need.

[muddledme]

Hello, Spanieldoglover,

I agree the research article about Vitamin B3 and Glaucoma was very interesting.

Apparently it is usually advised to take Vit B supplements as a combination rather than individually. It seems that taking just one may then unbalance the others.

If you like yeast extract spread , then that contains a combination of B Vitamins.

I take Engevita nutritional yeast flakes with Vit B 12 and it contains a large range of Vit B including 21mg B3 per 5gm serving. It is made by Marigold and although vegan tastes cheesy, and I find very pleasant. It is sold in 125g tubs in some supermarkets and health food shops. No additives or preservatives.

[Spanieldoglover in reply to muddledme]

Hi muddledme, thank you for your response. It can be difficult to know if you’re taking things the right way. I do like yeast extract spreads so that’s good and will look into Engevita.

I’m hoping my consultant will be able to advise with this too as from the replies there definitely does seem to be some benefits in taking the right things. It doesn’t seem to be something they share in the consultations I’ve had so far.

[muddledme in reply to Spanieldoglover]

Yes, sadly the medics are often so overwhelmed with patients that I think they do not have time for interesting self help advice. The Webinars and Glaucoma UK magazines are then even more helpful .

[Spanieldoglover in reply to muddledme]

Yes they are. I haven’t looked at the webinars yet, but will do.

[BonnieMagic]

My consultant recommended ginkgo biloba which I’ve recently started taking along with Lutein (which he told me was more for macular degeneration than glaucoma).

[Spanieldoglover in reply to BonnieMagic]

Thank you. I’m seeing my consultant tomorrow and I’m going to ask him about these supplements.

[Quantam]

Hi, I stumbled across your post today whilst looking at the benefits of vit B3. Can you recommend a B3 product that can give you 3 grams a day?

[Spanieldoglover in reply to Quantam]

Hi Quantam, there is a more recent thread on here ‘B3 advice’ which gives a lot more information on this and a research study on B3 that is about to be undertaken at Moorfields have a look at that and a post from muddledme.

[Quantam]

Okay thanks!

[lma_07]

Ive just started taking vitamin b3 as I was forced onto a new epilepsy drug... keppra due to going onto Diamox. Diamox is also a epilepsy medication and clashes with most other AEDs. Vitamin b3 is claimed to help keppras side effects. Anyone my right eye is getting a paul glaucoma tube tomorrow and my left also has one.