Taking vitamin B could help to fight glaucoma, study finds
A common vitamin supplement could slow down the progression of the degenerative eye disease glaucoma, a study has found.
Vitamin B, found in whole grains, dark leafy greens, such as kale and broccoli, eggs, fish and dairy, appears to diminish the damage caused by the condition.
Glaucoma, which is suffered by nearly 700,000 people in the UK, is caused by an abnormality in the eye's drainage system causing fluid to build up, increasing pressure on the optic nerve.
Primarily affecting older adults and those with a genetic disposition to the condition, it causes blurred vision and even blindness if left untreated.
Glaucoma is usually managed by reducing the pressure through eye drops, surgery or laser treatments.
The researchers gave supplements of vitamins B6, B9 and B12 to rats and mice with glaucoma.
In rats with a more aggressive form of the disease, it slowed damage to the optic nerve.
In mice with slower-developing glaucoma, the damage was halted completely.
Scientists believe this could be due to the increased pressure in the eye changing the retina's ability to use vitamins which are crucial to maintaining healthy vision.
Dr James Tribble, from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, which carried out the study, said: 'The results are so promising that we have started a clinical trial, with patients already being recruited.'
It comes after a 2019 study showed that vitamin B3 could be effective in preventing glaucoma.
Scientists at The Jackson Laboratory in Maine, US, added B3 to water given to mice which were genetically predisposed to the condition.
It kept their eyes healthier for longer compared to those given plain water.
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