The Effect of Vitamins on Glaucoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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#adult #aged #ascorbic-acid #chi-square-distribution #diet

The Effect of Vitamins on Glaucoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ramdas et al., 2018 | Nutrients | Meta Analysis

Citation

Ramdas Wishal D, Schouten Jan S A G, Webers Carroll A B. The Effect of Vitamins on Glaucoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2018-Mar-16;10(3). doi:10.3390/nu10030359

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of is to determine the association of vitamins with glaucoma by performing a systematic review and meta-analyses. METHODS: Studies on the relation of vitamins and glaucoma published up to December 2017 were identified in the PubMed and Embase database. Data on vitamins (method of assessment), glaucoma (type and method of assessment), study characteristics and quality were recorded. In case of multiple studies for one nutrient a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 629 articles were identified of which 36 were included in the systematic review. The meta-analysis included five of them (940 open-angle glaucoma (OAG) cases and 123,697 controls in total) and resulted in an odds ratio [95% confidence interval] (OR [95% CI]) of 0.58 [0.37-0.91] for dietary vitamin A, though heterogeneity was high (I² = 51%). After omitting studies that contributed significantly to the heterogeneity, the pooled OR [95% CI] was 0.45 [0.30-0.68] for dietary vitamin A on OAG (I² = 0%). For vitamin B1, C and E no significant association with OAG was found (OR [95% CI]: 0.84 [0.47-1.51]; 0.68 [0.38-1.22]; 0.95 [0.75-1.19]; respectively). However, after addressing heterogeneity, vitamin C showed a protective effect as well. Especially, foods high in these vitamins (e.g., dark green vegetables) were protective for OAG. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary intake of vitamin A and C showed a beneficial association with OAG; however, findings on blood levels of vitamins do not show a clear relation with OAG.

Key Findings

A total of 629 articles were identified of which 36 were included in the systematic review. The meta-analysis included five of them (940 open-angle glaucoma (OAG) cases and 123,697 controls in total) and resulted in an odds ratio [95% confidence interval] (OR [95% CI]) of 0.58 [0.37-0.91] for dietary vitamin A, though heterogeneity was high (I² = 51%). After omitting studies that contributed significantly to the heterogeneity, the pooled OR [95% CI] was 0.45 [0.30-0.68] for dietary vitamin A on

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ascorbic Acid
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Diet
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis
  • Protective Factors
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin A

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09