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Vitamin C was shown over 60 years ago to be effective in reducing intraocular pressure. A dosage of 2 grams three times a day over a 3 to 6 month period is often helpful in reducing pressures 30 to 50%. It does not work overnight, as pharmaceutical drops do. I have seen patients with pressures in the 30’s have their pressures reduced to the teens without glaucoma drops. It is not advisable to take that much vitamin C right away. As I have described in previous newsletters, taking too much vitamin C too quickly can result in loose stools. It is therefore advised to start slowly and inchworm up to that amount over the period of several weeks. Begin with 250 mg of vitamin C 3 times a day, inching up to 500 mg, then in a 1 gram dosage, then 2 grams 3 times a day, waiting several days to a week in between changes. In non-glaucoma patients who have a strong family history of glaucoma, 500 mg twice daily (as a preventative) will often prevent them from proceeding on to clinical glaucoma. We know that eyes have very high concentrations of vitamin C, and that vitamin C helps prevent macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. What further incentive do we need before we start taking vitamin C daily?

Taurine is a sulphonic acid, very closely related to amino acids. Retinas have very high concentrations of taurine. In fact taurine ranks number one in concentration in the retina of all the amino acids. Taurine helps cells function both electrically and osmotically, which explains its high concentration in retinas and other electrical tissues such as heart, muscle, and brain. While humans have the capacity to make taurine, cats, being obligate carnivores, do not. Feeding cats a vegetarian diet will cause them to suffer retinal blindness. Most cat food is supplemented with taurine for this reason. Amongst its other functions, we find out that taurine offers neuroprotection against glutamate toxicity. We now see taurine added to many of the better quality multivitamins (such as the Perfect Multi). It is usually lacking in the typical over-the-counter multivitamins. Even if it is present in a small quantity in your multivitamin, I recommend taking 1 capsule of Taurine twice daily if you have glaucoma. This will add about 1.5 to 2 grams of taurine to your intake. It is inexpensive and has zero side effects.

DHA is an omega 3 oil that we get from cold water fish (salmon, haddock, cod, sardines and anchovies), and is an essential ingredient in our diet. We do not make this substance. It is critical for retinal and brain function, proper functioning of our immune system, and many other important uses. We learn that the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), an essential part of our retina, has high concentrations of DHA, and that it is a precursor to a protein called neuroprotectin D1. As such, it promotes the health and survival of RPE cells. Also, a rat study in 2007 showed that omega 3 oils lowered eye pressure by allowing more fluid to escape from the eye. Omega 3 oils have in many studies been associated with protecting eyes from the ravages of senile macular degeneration. I suggest taking Cod Liver Oil if you have glaucoma as well. One teaspoon daily is my recommendation.

Jim McNabb, M.D.
Eye Physicians of Austin