Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that occurs when pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve. It is a serious condition that may lead to significant vision loss and even blindness if left untreated. If you have glaucoma, your doctor will likely give you eye drops to help reduce the pressure in your eyes. You may also require surgery to relieve pressure buildup. Vitamin C may be beneficial for people with glaucoma, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. However, evidence to prove it can prevent or treat glaucoma is lacking. Talk to your doctor before taking a vitamin C supplement, and do not use it in place of medical treatments.
Properties
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to protect the cells from damage by free radicals, molecules produced by the body when it converts food into energy. It also plays an important role in wound healing and collagen production. The Office of Dietary Supplements notes that vitamin C may also play a role in the treatment of eye diseases linked with free-radical damage.
Sources and Administration
A number of foods contain vitamin C including kiwifruit, citrus fruits, and red and green peppers. Baking potatoes and broccoli also contain vitamin C. The Office of Dietary Supplements states that the best way of getting vitamin C is through your diet, but you can also take it as a dietary supplement. The UMMC website suggests taking 500 mg to 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily. This is higher than the average daily recommended amounts of this vitamin, so get medical clearance before taking this amount.
Scientific Evidence
Evidence to prove vitamin C may play a role in the prevention or treatment of glaucoma is patchy. The link between glaucoma and vitamin C is highlighted by study findings published in the February 2010 issue of "Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology," which show that blood serum levels of vitamin C are significantly lower in glaucoma patients than healthy patients. However, research published in the August 2003 issue of the "American Journal of Epidemiology," could not find a strong association between antioxidant intake and the risk of glaucoma.
Considerations
Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means the body can excrete any that it does not needs. Nevertheless, the Office of Dietary Supplements notes that taking high doses may cause side effects including diarrhea and nausea. Don't take supplemental vitamin C if you have hemochromatosis, a condition that occurs when the body stores too much iron. If you are undergoing treatment for cancer, talk to your doctor before taking vitamin C, because it could make your cancer treatments less effective.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Glaucoma
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin C
- Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology"; Reduced-Serum Vitamin C and Increased Uric Acid Levels in Normal-Tension Glaucoma; K. Yuki et al.; February 2010
- American Journal of Epidemiology"; Antioxidant Intake and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Prospective Study; J.H. Kang et al.; August 2003
