Vision
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a vision-related condition. It is the condition itself, not a supplement or dietary ingredient discussed in relation to it.
Start with the essentials of this vision-related condition.
This list shows research findings, not treatments. Nothing here replaces medical care. If you have this condition, talk to a doctor.
What may help
What studies found for each option, best evidence first.
4 options:1 some evidence3 not enough evidence
YogapracticeSome evidence it helpsSize of effect: Not known
Some human studies found a benefit. More research could change this.
All 2 studies with a clear result found a benefit.
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded reported reduced intra-ocular pressure with Jyoti-trataka, breathing exercises, and meditation. A review covering randomized and non-randomized human studies also reported lower intraocular pressure with meditation and pranayama in people with glaucoma.
Open the Yoga pageAcupuncturepracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
Studies of glaucoma, including those measuring intraocular pressure, were rated very low quality, and the authors judged the evidence inconclusive.
Open the Acupuncture pageAlternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)practiceNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
1 of 2 studies found a benefit; 1 found none.
A trial in 60 people with glaucoma found that the Alternate Nostril Breathing exercise group had improved IOP and glaucoma-related quality of life.
Open the Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana) pageBreathworkpracticeNot enough evidence
Too few or too small studies to know if it works.
The one study found a benefit.
A review of studies, mostly in people with glaucoma, reported quality-of-life improvements and described preliminary benefit in people with eye disease.
Open the Breathwork page
May not suit people with this condition
Supplements and practices linked to problems for people with this condition.
Anusara YogapracticeUnclear
Head-down inversions and forceful straining can temporarily raise pressure inside the eye and stress the optic nerve. Modified practice without inversions may be appropriate with ophthalmic guidance.
Open the Anusara Yoga pageHatha YogapracticeUnclear
Inverted postures such as headstands and shoulder stands raise intraocular pressure and may worsen optic nerve damage; people with glaucoma should avoid inversions.
Open the Hatha Yoga pageVinyasa YogapracticeUnclear
Positions that place the head below the heart, such as downward dog and forward folds, can raise pressure inside the eye. This is a particular concern when glaucoma is uncontrolled.
Open the Vinyasa Yoga pageWim Hof Method BreathingpracticeUnclear
Forced exhalation and breath holding can increase pressure in the chest and raise pressure inside the eye, which may risk optic nerve damage.
Open the Wim Hof Method Breathing pageIndoor RowingpracticeUnclear
Indoor Rowing may involve breath-holding and straining during the drive, which elevates pressure inside the eye and can worsen glaucoma or damage the optic nerve.
Open the Indoor Rowing page
The expert view shows every study, dose protocol and source.
What may help
Interventions recorded as helping with this condition4 listedMost likely to help, from the evidence we have
- →PracticesYogaCertaintyMediumSourceRCT
A pooled analysis whose study designs were not recorded reported reduced intra-ocular pressure with Jyoti-trataka, breathing exercises, and meditation. A review covering randomized and non-randomized human studies also reported lower intraocular pressure with meditation and pranayama in people with glaucoma.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Glaucoma
Open YogaStudy result
Meta-analysis of three RCTs showing significant reduction in intra-ocular pressure with Jyoti-trataka, breathing exercises, and meditation.
Low probability(3)
- →PracticesAcupunctureCertaintyLowSourceClinical
Studies of glaucoma, including those measuring intraocular pressure, were rated very low quality, and the authors judged the evidence inconclusive.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Glaucoma
Open AcupunctureStudy result
Glaucoma studies, including IOP outcomes, were rated very low quality; the authors judged the evidence inconclusive.
- →PracticesAlternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)CertaintyLowSourceClinical
A trial in 60 people with glaucoma found that the Alternate Nostril Breathing exercise group had improved IOP and glaucoma-related quality of life.
Who was studied
- Healthy people and patients
- Glaucoma
- Hypertension
Open Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana)Study result
Study population selected for HTF-POAG; ANBE associated with improved IOP and glaucoma quality of life in the ANBE group only.
- →PracticesBreathworkCertaintyLowSourceClinical
A review of studies, mostly in people with glaucoma, reported quality-of-life improvements and described preliminary benefit in people with eye disease.
Who was studied
- People with a condition
- Glaucoma
Open BreathworkStudy result
Included studies, mostly in glaucoma, reported quality-of-life improvements, and the review concludes preliminary benefit in people with eye disease.
What to avoid
Interventions recorded as making it worse5 listedHighest probability
- →PracticesAnusara YogaCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
Head-down inversions and forceful straining can temporarily raise pressure inside the eye and stress the optic nerve. Modified practice without inversions may be appropriate with ophthalmic guidance.
Open Anusara YogaRationale
People with active or poorly controlled glaucoma should avoid head-down inversions and forceful straining because these can transiently increase intraocular pressure and stress the optic nerve; modified non-inverted practice may be appropriate with ophthalmic guidance.
- →PracticesHatha YogaCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
Inverted postures such as headstands and shoulder stands raise intraocular pressure and may worsen optic nerve damage; people with glaucoma should avoid inversions.
Open Hatha YogaRationale
Inverted postures (headstand, shoulder stand) increase intraocular pressure and can worsen glaucomatous optic nerve damage; individuals with glaucoma should avoid inversions.
- →PracticesVinyasa YogaCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
Positions that place the head below the heart, such as downward dog and forward folds, can raise pressure inside the eye. This is a particular concern when glaucoma is uncontrolled.
Open Vinyasa YogaRationale
Head-below-heart inversions (downward dog, forward folds) can increase intraocular pressure, potentially aggravating nerve damage in uncontrolled glaucoma.
- →PracticesWim Hof Method BreathingCertaintyLowSourceReference knowledge
Forced exhalation and breath holding can increase pressure in the chest and raise pressure inside the eye, which may risk optic nerve damage.
Open Wim Hof Method BreathingRationale
Increased intrathoracic pressure during forced exhalation and breath holding elevates intraocular pressure, risking optic nerve damage.
- →PracticesIndoor RowingCertaintyLowSourceTheoretical
Indoor Rowing may involve breath-holding and straining during the drive, which elevates pressure inside the eye and can worsen glaucoma or damage the optic nerve.
Open Indoor RowingRationale
Rowing often involves a Valsalva maneuver during the drive, which elevates intraocular pressure. This can exacerbate glaucoma and potentially damage the optic nerve.
How to read the evidence
Evidence tier — overall strength of the evidence for the whole compound
- StrongWell established — backed by strong, consistent human research.
- ModerateSome genuine support, but mostly from small or lower-quality studies. Promising, not proven.
- PreliminaryEarly-stage evidence — a promising hypothesis, not an established effect yet.
- LimitedVery limited evidence — treat this as a hypothesis, not proof.
- InsufficientNot enough good evidence to draw conclusions yet.
Certainty — how sure we can be that the effect is real
- Very highVery sure — strong, consistent evidence
- HighFairly sure — consistent evidence from good studies
- MediumModerately sure — new studies could change this
- LowNot sure — little or mixed evidence
- Very lowVery unsure — almost no usable evidence
Source — where the data comes from
- Meta-analysisPooled analysis of many trials — the strongest evidence
- RCTRandomized controlled trial — a strong human study design
- ClinicalA human clinical study
- Reference knowledgeFrom general health-science or pharmacology references, not a study of this exact claim
- Animal researchStudied in animals, not humans
- Community reportsAggregated user reports — anecdotal signal, not evidence
- TheoreticalMechanism-based reasoning, not yet tested
Study grade — quality of each underlying study (A best, D weakest)
- AHigh-quality — strong, consistent human trials
- BGood — solid evidence with some limitations
- CModerate — limited, small, or mixed-quality studies
- DWeak — preliminary, indirect, or animal-only
Confidence — how strongly the sources back a finding
A 0–100 score from study quality and agreement
Most supplement evidence is graded C–D. Read it as preliminary signal, not proof.
Full write-up
What is it
Glaucoma is a vision-related condition. It is the condition itself, not a supplement or dietary ingredient discussed in relation to it. Options such as Astaxanthin, Coenzyme Q10, Ginger, and Lutein are presented separately as areas of study and should not be confused with the definition of glaucoma. A clinician can provide guidance about this medical condition.
Evidence-backed options
The evidence for these options is preliminary rather than established. The reported findings span several different outcomes, including visual function-related measures, optic nerve head blood flow, macular pigment, intraocular pressure, and retinal inflammation. These endpoints are not interchangeable, so an improvement in one does not necessarily indicate slowed glaucoma progression or broader preservation of vision.
The evidence comes from reviews, clinical studies, and animal research, with all of the listed options carrying a low probability of benefit. Some findings involve people with open-angle or primary open-angle glaucoma, while other evidence includes broader eye conditions or comes from animal research. This limits how confidently the results can be applied to every person with glaucoma.
The summaries do not establish a consistent dose, treatment duration, or time to onset across the options. One clinical finding refers to effects associated with both acute and chronic supplementation, but this does not define how quickly benefits might appear for other outcomes. Overall, these options should be viewed as areas of preliminary investigation rather than established replacements for glaucoma care. Anyone considering them for a medical condition should discuss the evidence and personal circumstances with a clinician.
What to avoid
The main concern across several yoga practices is a temporary rise in intraocular pressure. Head-down inversions in Yoga and Hatha Yoga, including headstand and downward dog, can substantially increase pressure and may stress or damage the optic nerve. Anusara Yoga is similarly flagged because head-down inversions and forceful straining can raise intraocular pressure. For people with active or poorly controlled glaucoma, a modified practice that avoids inversion may be appropriate with guidance from an eye specialist.
Caffeine is flagged because it can temporarily increase intraocular pressure, potentially worsening glaucoma. Glucosamine has been associated with increased intraocular pressure in limited clinical observations, which may worsen ocular hypertension or glaucoma. Lemon Balm (Melissa) may also increase intraocular pressure; clinical evidence for this concern is limited.
Vinyasa Yoga and Yin Yoga are flagged for review rather than as verified restrictions. No mechanism is recorded for these cautions, so their inclusion does not establish that either practice worsens glaucoma. Because glaucoma control and sensitivity to pressure changes can vary, any medical condition or change to physical activity is best considered with a clinician or eye specialist.