A new real-world study found that people with high eye pressure who took vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) supplements were 66% less likely to develop primary open-angle glaucoma. They also needed fewer treatments like prescription eye drops and laser procedures. The findings, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, add to growing evidence that nicotinamide could be a promising add-on strategy for glaucoma prevention.
A large real-world study published in JAMA Ophthalmology suggests that vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) supplements could meaningfully reduce the risk of developing glaucoma in people with elevated eye pressure. Researchers analyzed electronic medical records from nearly 3,000 patients with ocular hypertension over a mean follow-up of 3.7 years, comparing those who took nicotinamide against matched controls who did not.
The results were striking: nicotinamide users were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and needed fewer medical interventions to manage their eye pressure — suggesting the supplement may help protect the optic nerve and delay disease progression.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and current treatments focus on lowering eye pressure rather than protecting the optic nerve directly. If confirmed by ongoing randomized clinical trials, nicotinamide — an affordable, over-the-counter supplement — could become a simple, accessible add-on tool for glaucoma prevention.
