Written based on 12 research studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11..
The claim
Posts online say that omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) helps with glaucoma.
Where research stands
We found 15 published papers on omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and glaucoma. They were published between 2009 and 2026. 3 of them are studies in people. 2 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 3 were studies in animals, and 1 was only in cells in the lab. 1 paper is a review that sums up other studies.
- 3In people2 with a comparison group
- 3In animals
- 1Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) has been tested in randomised trials in people with glaucoma.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- The Effect of Oral Citicoline and Docosahexaenoic Acid on the Visual Field of Patients with Glaucoma: A Randomized Trial.2022 · Life (Basel) · Randomised trial
- Effects of Oral Supplementation with Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) plus Antioxidants in Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma: A 6-Month Open-Label Randomized Trial.2018 · J Ophthalmol · Randomised trial
- Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves dry eye symptoms in patients with glaucoma: results of a prospective multicenter study.2016 · Clin Ophthalmol · Study in people
- Fish Oil in Glaucoma Treatment: From Biological Functions to Clinical Potential.2023 · Mol Nutr Food Res · Review
- Effects of topical docosahexaenoic acid on postoperative fibrosis in an animal model of glaucoma filtration surgery.2023 · Acta Ophthalmol · In animals
- Short-Term Omega-3 Supplementation Modulates Novel Neurovascular and Fatty Acid Metabolic Proteome Changes in the Retina and Ophthalmic Artery of Mice with Targeted Cyp2c44 Gene Deletion.2022 · Cells · In animals
- Omega-3 fatty acids protect retinal neurons in the DBA/2J hereditary glaucoma mouse model.2018 · Exp Eye Res · In animals
- Preventive effects of omega-3 and omega-6 Fatty acids on peroxide mediated oxidative stress responses in primary human trabecular meshwork cells.2012 · PLoS One · In the lab
- Relationship Between Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Glaucoma Risk in Patients With Dry Eye Disease: A Multinational Retrospective Cohort Study.2026 · Transl Vis Sci Technol · Other paper
- Letter to the Editor: Preliminary evaluation on effect of oral omega-3 supplementation from herring caviar oil in primary open angle glaucoma patients.2025 · Int Ophthalmol · Other paper
- Association of Plasma Omega-3 Fatty Acids With POAG.2025 · Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci · Other paper
- Preliminary evaluation on the effect of oral omega-3 supplementation from herring caviar oil in primary open-angle glaucoma patients.2025 · Int Ophthalmol · Other paper
