Your body requires only a small amount of chromium to function properly, but some people may need chromium supplements. These supplements come in a variety of forms, such as chromium polynicotinate. You should not use chromium without first consulting your doctor. She can help you determine if you have a condition that may benefit from chromium supplementation. This nutrient will not directly affect your vision, but, in some cases, chromium may help medical conditions that could result in vision changes.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Although chromium polynicotinate will not treat eye conditions, supplementation could help reduce blood sugar levels, and this may help reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy. This eye condition occurs when abnormal vessels grow on the retina, a sensitive tissue layer that covers the inside back section of your eye. These abnormal vessels damage the tissue, and they may leak fluid and further damage the surrounding tissues. Treatment typically includes laser treatments to help seal the leaking vessels and stunt further growth. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness if not treated properly.
Study
In a 1997 study, researchers at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center found that high doses of chromium supplements helped reduce blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetics. The study did not evaluate the relationship to diabetic retinopathy or other diabetic diseases. However, since controlling and reducing blood sugar levels helps reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease, chromium, in theory, may offer some protection. You should not take chromium supplements without talking to your doctor to avoid interactions with medications or other health conditions you may have.
Other Eye Conditions
Chromium supplements will not offer an appropriate treatment or prevention for most eye conditions. However, if you have poor vision you should know some of the possible causes for decreased visual acuity. In some cases, an update in your eyeglass prescription may resolve your vision problem. You may also have certain conditions, such as pink eye or other types of eye infections, that may cause blurry vision, but your vision will often return to normal once the infection resolves. Other conditions may have a more significant effect, requiring prolonged treatment or surgery to control the condition and prevent permanent loss of vision.
Considerations
If you experience changes in your vision, contact your doctor immediately. Do not begin using chromium or other supplements to treat decreased visual acuity without consulting your doctor to determine the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. If you feel you do not have an adequate intake of chromium, your doctor can test the levels in your system and determine if you should take chromium polynicotinate or other forms of chromium supplementation.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements; National Institutes of Health; Chromium; August 2005
- MedlinePlus; Vision Problems; July 2010
- "Diabetes"; Elevated Intake of Supplemental Chromium Improved Glucose and Insulin Variables in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes; R.A. Anderson et al.; November 1997
- National Eye Institute; Facts About Diabetic Retinopathy; October 2009
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