The impact of nutrition on glaucoma progression: evidence from systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
Manfredi M Giammanco, Tameema Kauser, Marco Giammanco
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed whether dietary factors or nutritional supplements affect glaucoma progression in adults. The qualitative synthesis included 21 studies with 1,209 participants; 11 studies contributed to meta-analysis. At six months, pooled results showed no statistically significant change in intraocular pressure, visual field mean deviation, or retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. Pattern standard deviation decreased by 0.33 dB (95% CI - 0.47 to - 0.19), but this result came from three cohort studies and was not considered evidence of clinically meaningful neuroprotection. Overall, the authors judged the evidence low to moderate in certainty.
Key findings
- At six months, intraocular pressure did not change significantly (mean difference - 2.42 mmHg, 95% CI - 7.53 to 2.70).
- Visual field mean deviation showed no significant change (2.23 dB, 95% CI - 1.04 to 5.50).
- Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness showed no significant change (- 16.00 µm, 95% CI - 70.77 to 38.76).
- Pattern standard deviation decreased (- 0.33 dB, 95% CI - 0.47 to - 0.19), based on three cohort studies.
Why it matters
The findings address whether supplements might add measurable benefit beyond conventional glaucoma care. Across the outcomes assessed, the review found no significant short-term improvement in several major progression indicators. The isolated PSD reduction warrants caution because it came from cohort studies and the authors did not regard it as clinically meaningful neuroprotection. Longer-term effects remain uncertain.
What to keep in mind
The underlying evidence was low to moderate in certainty, and the PSD result was based on three cohort studies. The review identifies a need for large, long-term randomized controlled trials.