Can Omega-3 Help treat Glaucoma?

Why Omega-3 helps Treat Glaucoma?

Omega-3 can prevent glaucoma and protect the retina because one of the main omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is the primary component of the retinal ganglion cells of the optic nerve. Therefore, consuming omega-3 increases the levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the optic nerve. Having adequate levels of DHA in the optic nerve improves its function and protects it against potential damage.

Some studies support this claim. For instance, a study titled “Dietary omega-3 fatty acids and ganglion cell function” found that low levels of DHA in the retinal ganglion cells can affect retina signaling to the brain via the optic nerve. If signaling is delayed, the optic nerve doesn’t function effectively, which may lead to glaucoma.

Also, omega-3 can help treat or prevent glaucoma because it lowers the intraocular pressure inside the eye. This prevents the buildup of pressure that can compress the optic nerve, leading to nerve damage.

Recent research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids can lower intraocular pressure. For example, the study “Oral Omega-3 Supplementation Lowers Intraocular Pressure in Normotensive Adults” shows that omega-3 fatty acids could reduce intraocular pressure even in people who don’t have glaucoma.

This study shows promising results because if omega-3 fatty acids lower intraocular pressure in normal adults, then it most likely will lower it in patients with glaucoma.

In addition, omega-3 helps treat glaucoma because it increases blood flow to the retina and the optic nerve. Some research shows that certain types of glaucoma occur because of decreased retinal blood flow in the eye.

For example, the review, “Blood flow in Glaucoma,” indicates that decreased blood flow to the retina that occurs because of damaged blood vessels may play a role in the development of glaucoma. By increasing blood flow to the optic nerve, omega-3 helps prevent future nerve damage.

Furthermore, omega-3 can help treat glaucoma because it has anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help it reduce inflammation caused by oxidative stress or the presence of free radicals in the eye. Omega-3 also prevents the inflammation that may result from the accumulation of white blood cells in the trabecular meshwork, which blocks the outflow of fluid from the eye. This allows proper fluid drainage in the eye and decreases intraocular pressure, reducing the risk of damaging the optic nerve.

How Omega-3 works for Glaucoma

Omega-3 is a healthy polyunsaturated fat that consists of eleven types of fatty acids. The three main omega-3 fatty acids are: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

These fatty acids work to treat glaucoma in several ways, including:

1- Strengthening the optic nerve: when people consume omega-3 fatty acids, the retina and the retinal ganglion cells that are a part of the optic nerve absorb docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This helps strengthen the optic nerve and protect it against damage that might result from inflammation or increased intraocular pressure in the eye.

2- Increasing blood flow to the retina: omega-3 fatty acids also help treat glaucoma by improving blood flow to the retina, which prevents retinal cell death. Both EPA and DHA help widen the blood vessels and increase blood flow to the optic nerve. This provides the optic nerve with the oxygen and the nutrients it needs to function effectively.

3- Reducing intraocular pressure in the eye: omega-3 fatty acids help prevent glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure in the eye. They do this by stimulating the flow of aqueous fluid out of the eye.

The study “Cod liver oil: a potential protective supplement for human glaucoma” explains that omega-3 fatty acids can be metabolized into prostaglandins, which are lipids that prevent inflammation and improve blood flow. Prostaglandins relax the blood vessels in the eye and increase the outflow of fluid, decreasing intraocular pressure in the eye.

4- Reducing inflammation in the retina: both EPA and DHA are anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that actively work to prevent or reduce inflammation in the eye. They are antioxidants, so they neutralize free radical accumulation in the eye, preventing inflammation.

DHA is metabolized into eicosanoids, which are anti-inflammatory molecules that reduce inflammation. EPA and DHA are also metabolized into prostaglandins that prevent inflammation as well as the buildup of white blood cells that may block the outflow of fluid from the eye. These molecules all prevent an increase in intraocular pressure, which might compress the optic nerve and damage it.

Omega-3 for Glaucoma: How much to Take

There’s no official dose of omega-3 recommended to treat glaucoma.

However, as a general guideline, the Food and Nutrition Board of the U.S. Institute of Medicine recommends that men take 1.6 grams of omega-3, while women take 1.1 grams of omega-3 per day if they are above the age of 18.

Omega-3 for Glaucoma: Precautions

If you want to use omega-3 supplements to treat glaucoma, you should consider the following precautions:

1- People with certain medical conditions 

People with the following medical conditions should take precautions and consult a doctor before they begin taking omega supplements.

- Diabetes: consuming excessive omega-3 fats may lower blood sugar levels. People who have diabetes should consult a doctor to determine the appropriate dose for their condition.

- A seizure disorder: consuming excessive omega-6 fats such as GLA may cause seizures in people who have a seizure disorder.

-Allergies: people who have allergies should take precautions before taking omega fatty acid supplements.

Many omega supplements come from fish sources, and people who are allergic to fish cannot take these supplements. Some supplements may also contain peanut and soy, which are also common allergens.

2- Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women

Consuming excessive omega-6 fats may cause pregnant women to have pregnancy complications such as early labor and contribute to the poor development of the fetus. 
Pregnant women should also avoid omega-3 because it affects their blood clotting abilities and increases the risk of bleeding. Also, some omega-3 supplements like cod liver oil contain vitamin A, which might be harmful to the fetus.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid omega-3 fish oil supplements that come from fish that contain high amounts of mercury, such as mackerel, swordfish, or tilefish, because mercury may harm the baby.

3- Interaction with other Medications

Omega fats may interact with different medications and exacerbate certain conditions. Consult your doctor or healthcare provider before taking omega fatty acids supplements if you take the following medication:

- Anticoagulant medication: Omega fats can interfere with blood-thinning medication. Consuming excessive amounts of omega fats can cause blood thinning or excessive bleeding.

- Blood pressure medication: consuming excessive amounts of omega fats may lower blood pressure and interfere with blood pressure medication. 

4- Vitamin A Toxicity

If you are taking omega-3 supplements, always check the amount of vitamin A. Some omega-3 supplements may contain very high amounts of vitamin A, which may cause vitamin A toxicity.

People should also avoid cod liver oil because it contains a high amount of vitamin A. They can substitute it with other omega-3 supplements that aren’t high in vitamin A like fish or krill oil.

Omega-3 for Glaucoma: Side Effects

If you take omega-3, you may experience unwanted side effects such as an unpleasant taste in the mouth, bad breath, heartburn, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, low blood pressure, high blood sugar, diarrhea, headaches, and smelly sweat.

Side effects of the Omega-3-6-9 supplement

If you take an Omega-3-6-9 supplement, you may experience the following side effects: burping, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and heartburn, loss of taste, skin rash, hives, itching, prolonged bleeding from cuts, and nosebleeds.

Consult your doctor if any of the following side effects appear.