Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B3 (various)
For the health condition: Glaucoma

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin B3, particularly in the form of nicotinamide, has been investigated for its potential neuroprotective effects in glaucoma, a disease characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve damage. Recent preclinical studies in animal models have demonstrated that nicotinamide supplementation can protect against retinal ganglion cell degeneration and improve mitochondrial function, which is often compromised in glaucoma. Notably, a 2017 study published in "Science" showed that nicotinamide prevented glaucoma in aged mice by supporting cellular energy metabolism in the retina.

Early-phase human studies have also begun to emerge. A small randomized controlled trial in 2020 (Williams et al., JAMA Ophthalmology) found that high-dose nicotinamide supplementation improved inner retinal function in glaucoma patients, as measured by electroretinography. However, these clinical studies have been limited by small sample sizes, short durations, and lack of long-term outcome data.

Overall, while the mechanistic rationale and preliminary evidence are promising, Vitamin B3 is not a standard or approved treatment for glaucoma at this time. Larger and longer-term clinical trials are needed to fully establish its efficacy and safety in glaucoma patients. Thus, the evidence supporting Vitamin B3 for glaucoma is currently rated as low to moderate (2 out of 5), based on limited but emerging scientific validation.

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