Is Magnesium Good for Your Eyes?

Magnesium is one of those minerals you hear about for bones and muscles, but it turns out it may also play a role in eye health. Continue reading to find out why scientists think magnesium might be good for your eyes.

👁️ Why Magnesium Matters for Vision Health

Magnesium is an essential nutrient your body uses in many processes:

• It helps control blood flow and blood pressure, which is important in tiny blood vessels in the eye.
• It acts like a natural calcium channel blocker and can help muscles and blood vessels relax. That might improve blood flow to the retina and optic nerve.
• It has neuroprotective effects which may help protect nerve cells in the eye from stress and damage.

👓 Evidence from Research

✅ 1. Better Blood Flow & Neuroprotection

A review found that magnesium:

• increases blood flow in eye tissues
• blocks excessive calcium in nerve cells
• decreases oxidative stress (a type of cell damage)
• may protect retinal ganglion cells (important nerve cells in vision)
  
  

✅ 2. Magnesium Intake Linked to Lower Risk of Retinal Vein Occlusion

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) happens when blood flow out of the retina is blocked.  A large study from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that adults with sufficient magnesium intake had a 64% lower risk of RVO compared to those with low magnesium intake. 

🥗 How to Get Magnesium for Eye Health

Since research is still emerging and there are limitations to some of the studies, the safest way to get magnesium is through diet:

• Leafy greens (like spinach)
• Nuts and seeds (almonds, pumpkin seeds)
• Whole grains (brown rice)
• Legumes (beans, lentils)

Supplements are also available but talk with a doctor before starting high doses (especially if you take medications like blood pressure drugs).

However, science hasn’t proven yet that magnesium supplements treat or prevent major eye diseases like glaucoma. More strong clinical studies are needed before doctors can officially recommend it for eye conditions. So, enjoy magnesium-rich foods as part of a healthy diet, and for overall health, not just in relation to the eyes.

📚 Study Links

✔ Magnesium: Effect on ocular health as a calcium channel antagonist
https://www.jceionline.org/article/magnesium-effect-on-ocular-health-as-a-calcium-channel-antagonist-3447 JCEI

✔ Sufficient Magnesium Intake Reduces Retinal Vein Occlusion Risk
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/7/1285 MDPI

✔ Magnesium and Its Role in Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ophthalmology/articles/10.3389/fopht.2022.897128/full Frontiers

To learn more about eye health, schedule an appointment at C Lane Eye Associates in Lexington, Kentucky by calling 859-787-0936.