Glaucoma is an eye disease that results when an increased eye pressure inside the eye reduces blood flow to the back of the eye, damaging the optic nerve. Eye pressure may increase as a result of poor drainage of the aqueous fluid in the front of the eye. Medicated eye drops may help reduce eye pressure, but you may also talk with your doctor about the role of vitamin B12 in glaucoma treatment.
Effects
Glaucoma damage occurs slowly, over a period of many years, and most people don't know they have damage until their vision is affected. Damage to the optic nerve from this progressive condition slowly affects side vision and may cause blind spots in the periphery. If left untreated or uncontrolled, glaucoma may cause "tunnel vision," leaving only an area of central vision, or result in complete blindness.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient for the proper function of your central nervous system and the formation and health of red blood cells. In addition to these vital roles, vitamin B12 may also improve vision loss from glaucoma damage, reports the Glaucoma Research Foundation. This comes from one study, and researchers must continue to evaluate these results to conclusively determine the potential benefits of vitamin B12.
Dietary Sources
If you and your doctor determine that vitamin B12 could have benefits for glaucoma, she may recommend a dietary supplement to ensure you have an adequate daily intake. You may need to increase your daily intake with dietary sources. Foods that contain vitamin B12 include liver, clams, milk, eggs and fortified cereals, says the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Considerations
Keep all eye examination appointments to ensure that your eye pressure is within normal limits and not causing damage to your optic nerve. If your eye doctor suspects you have glaucoma damage, she may take pictures of the back of your eyes and test your side vision. As part of future examinations, she'll compare these initial photos and tests to watch for any changes caused by glaucoma. If you take vitamin B12 for glaucoma, the peripheral vision tests may also help determine whether vitamin B12 use improves your vision.
