Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Flavonols, a subclass of flavonoids found in various fruits and vegetables (notably quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin), have been investigated for their potential role in supporting eye health, including glaucoma management. Glaucoma is characterized by progressive optic nerve damage, often related to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and oxidative stress. Flavonols possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, which form the basis for their proposed benefits in glaucoma.

Several preclinical studies demonstrate that flavonols can protect retinal ganglion cells from oxidative damage and apoptosis, mechanisms that contribute to glaucomatous neurodegeneration. For example, quercetin has been shown in animal models to reduce retinal cell loss and decrease markers of oxidative stress. Some small-scale human studies and population analyses suggest that diets high in flavonoids (including flavonols) are associated with a reduced risk of glaucoma or lower IOP, but these are observational and cannot establish causality.

However, there is a lack of large, well-controlled clinical trials directly evaluating flavonol supplementation for glaucoma treatment or prevention. Most clinical recommendations still focus on IOP-lowering medications and procedures rather than nutraceuticals. While the mechanistic rationale is strong and early data are promising, current scientific evidence supporting flavonols as a standalone or adjunctive treatment for glaucoma remains limited. Thus, the use of flavonols is scientifically plausible but not yet fully validated by robust clinical research.

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