Glaucoma is condition characterized by the damage of the optic nerve, damage that is often associated with increased eye pressure. Untreated glaucoma may lead to loss of vision. According to Merck Manual almost 3 million Americans suffer from this condition which is also the second leading cause of blindness in the United States. In a small study, lipoic acid, a natural supplement showed potential benefit for a certain type of glaucoma.
Glaucoma Types
Glaucoma is caused by an imbalance in production and drainage of the aqueous humor, which is the fluid in the eye. As a result the eye pressure is often increased, and damage of the optic nerve occurs. In open-angle glaucoma, which is the most common type of glaucoma the drainage system in the eyes is impaired gradually, over time, thus the pressure in the eyes occurs slowly. Closed-angle glaucoma may occur suddenly, is often painful and the pressure in the eyes increases over a short period of time.
Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid, also known as thioctic acid or lipoic acid, is a natural compound produced in limited amounts by the body or can be obtained in small quantities from diet. According to University of Maryland, Medical Center, supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid may have several therapeutic benefits, possibly helping conditions, such as diabetes, liver diseases, stroke and may have protective effect of the brain tissue. A small study also evaluated the benefits of lipoic acid in glaucoma patients, but more research is needed to fully prove the benefits of this supplement for this condition.
Research
A. Filina and colleagues published in the August 1995 issue of "Vestnik Oftalmologii" the result of a study designed to evaluate the efficacy of lipoic acid in open angle glaucoma. Patients with stage I and II open angle glaucoma were involved in a study using lipoic acid. Twenty-six out of the 45 subjects received 75 milligrams of lipoic acid daily, for two months, and 19 received 150 milligrams of the same supplement every day, for one month. The control group involved 31 participants. Researchers found that 47.5 percent of the subjects who received 150 milligrams of lipoic acid showed improvement on eye examination, particularly related to visual acuity, visual field and color discrimination.
Cautions
According to University of Maryland Medical Center, lipoic acid is generally safe, and side effects, such as skin rashes, are rare. However, this supplement may interact with some drugs like insulin and oral medications for diabetes and thyroid dysfunction.
Considerations
More research is needed to assess the efficacy of lipoic acid in glaucoma patients, therefore individuals suffering from this condition should rely on conventional treatment. Considering that lipoic acid may interact with certain drugs, it is highly recommended to use this supplement under medical supervision.
References
- Merk Manual: Glaucoma
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Alpha-lipoic Acid
- "Vestnik Oftalmologii;" Lipoic acid as a means of metabolic therapy of open-angle glaucoma; Filina, A. A., et al. ; August 1995
Member Comments