Vitamin A and C vs. Glaucoma

Background:

The self test CET probe which measures the
ocular pressure- a precursor for glaucoma.

To evaluate the role of antioxidant drugs, such as vitamin A, C, and E, in the tonometric increase that foloow the closed eyelid test (CET). The CET measures stiffness of the eye due to built up pressure, a precursor for glaucoma.

Method:

Thirty subjects around the age of 55, 13 of which being males, had their ocular pressure measured after 1 hour from the CET. The first measurement were under normal conditions, while the second measurement was taken after the antioxidants were administered. Approximately 50,000 IU of vitamin A, 600 milligrams of vitamin E, and 1000milligrams of vitamin C was administered to the participants for the second CET measurement.

Results:

The pressure after the first CET test was higher than the measurements for the second CET test for all three antioxidants. This test prove that vitamins A, C, and E help reduce the pressure that leads to guacoma. However, vitamin A showed a statistically significant difference in value compared to the other vitamins, reducing the pressure even more.

Conclusion:

I feel that this is a reliable case study that vitamins A, C and E help reduce ocular pressure. The significant value for vitamin A is probably due in part to the role of the retinal hormone in the eye for vision. Vitamin A plays a more direct role to the eye than the other vitamins due, so that probably the reason for the difference in values.

Source:
 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23104665