CERA

Science and Research

The Vitamin B3 in Glaucoma Study (VBIGS): A 2-year Multi-centre, Double-masked, Randomised, Placebo-controlled Trial of Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) Supplementation in Glaucoma

VBIGS is a randomised controlled trial looking at whether high-dose nicotinamide (vitamin B3) can slow down the progression of glaucoma.

Overview

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is associated with progressive damage to the nerve cells at the back of the eye.

Nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) has been shown to preserve function of nerve cells in preclinical models of glaucoma. In a world-first clinical study at CERA, we showed potential for early improvement in visual function in people with glaucoma after taking nicotinamide supplements.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of nicotinamide to slow down glaucoma progression over two years. This is the first study to investigate nicotinamide as a treatment to specifically target optic nerve cells.

It will inform us whether nicotinamide can improve nerve cell function or slow down glaucoma progression beyond what can be achieved with conventional eye pressure lowering.

Nicotinamide is potentially an easy and accessible intervention for people with glaucoma to revive and provide protection for their remaining nerve cells.

  • Principal Investigator
Dr Flora Hui Professor Keith Martin

Learn more

View this study on the ANZCTR

See the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) for more detailed information about this study.

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov

See the ClinicalTrials.gov database listing for more detailed information about this study.