Though the precise causes of glaucoma are unknown, all glaucoma patients are treated for high internal eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP). High IOP is caused by an imbalance in the production or drainage of a transparent fluid, called aqueous humor, that nourishes the clear parts of the eye. 

Over time, high IOP damages the optic nerve. This damage can be halted with treatment, but not reversed. Recently, another contributor to optic nerve damage has gained researchers’ attention—low ocular blood flow (OBF), or insufficient blood flow to the eye—and antioxidants may help.*

OBF and glaucoma

Until the recent invention of optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA), there was no reliable way to study, measure, and treat low OBF. Now we know that insufficient OBF can be caused by IOP or other risk factors. 

IOP is currently the only approved treatable risk factor of glaucoma. The primary treatments for lowering IOP are:

• Topical medications (eye drops)
• Laser therapy
• Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)

Your doctor will usually start with eye drops or laser therapy. Over time, further topical medications may be added. If your target IOP is achieved but your glaucoma continues to progress, there is little more your ophthalmologist can do. This also pertains to people with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), who experience vision loss despite their IOP not having risen beyond the normal range in the first place.

For patients with progressing glaucoma despite normal-range IOP, more experts are advising an increase in cardiovascular exercise and eating a diet high in antioxidants. Cardiovascular exercise can increase blood flow throughout the body, but certain types of exercise may be harmful. Consult with your doctor before changing your activity regimen. 

OBF and antioxidants

Over the past several years, there has been an increase in studies of antioxidants’ effects on eye health, and antioxidant dietary supplements have shown to have minimal side effects. One recent study involved a supplement, called Optic Nerve Formula (ONF). 

ONF is composed of a variety of ingredients found to support OBF, including:

• Essential vitamins and minerals 
• Antioxidants
• Ginkgo biloba
• Polyphenols
• Bilberry extracts

In the study, 42 patients with open-angle glaucoma were primarily evaluated for OBF velocity (speed) and vascular resistance in retinal and ciliary (optic nerve) arteries. Participants were then given either the ONF supplement or a placebo. Measurements were taken again after one month. 

The study found that ONF led to:

• An increase in OBF velocity
• A decrease in vascular resistance in retinal and ciliary arteries

The findings support the theory that antioxidant supplements can help you optimize OBF, especially if started soon after diagnosis and as an adjunct to other treatments. Speak to your eye care provider to determine if an antioxidant supplement is right for you.

*Gaddie, I. B. (2020, Aug. 11). Optimizing Ocular Blood Flow in Glaucoma Management. Optometry Times. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/optimizing-ocular-blood-flow-in-glaucoma-management

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