Many of us canโt start the day without our morning coffee. But what does science say about how caffeine affects your eyes?
As it turns out, your daily brew might have both benefits and risks for your visionโdepending on how much you drink, your genetics, and what nutrients youโre pairing it with. Letโs break it down with a deeper look at the evidence and how you can take control of your eye health.
1. Coffee and Eye Pressure: Should You Be Concerned?
If you have glaucoma or are at risk of it, youโll want to pay close attention. Caffeine can temporarily increase eye pressure. This is particularly relevant for people who are genetically predisposed to glaucoma, a condition where elevated eye pressure can damage the optic nerve and cause vision loss over time.
A 2021 study published in Ophthalmology analysed data from over 120,000 participants and found that drinking more than 2 cups of coffee per day was associated with a significantly higher risk of glaucoma, especially in those with a strong family history of the disease.
What to do instead:
You donโt have to give up coffee completely. For most people, 1โ2 cups per day is safe.
Consider drinking your coffee slowly and spaced out over time to avoid sudden pressure spikes.
Try saffron-infused tea later in the day, or experiment with adding a pinch of saffron to your morning brew.
2. Coffee and Dry Eyes: Surprising Science
While many assume caffeine dehydrates the body, the relationship between coffee and dry eyes is more nuanced.
Caffeine actually has been shown to stimulate tear production in certain individuals. A 2014 study in the journal Optometry & Vision Science found that caffeine increased tear secretion in healthy subjects who do not have dry eyes. Subsequent studies have reported that those who take caffeine regularly showed significantly healthier ocular surface, lower inflammatory cytokines in their tears, and a reduced prevalence of dry eye disease.
However, chronic overconsumption of caffeineโespecially without adequate water intakeโmay lead to overall dehydration, which could actually worsen dry eye symptoms in some people.
Pro tip:
Stay well hydrated throughout the day if you're drinking coffee regularly.
Consider using B12-fortified milk or plant-based alternatives in your coffee.
If you're vegan or older, B12 supplementation may be especially important, as deficiency is more common in these groups.
3. Coffee and Macula Health: The Antioxidant Bonus
Coffee isnโt just a stimulantโitโs one of the richest dietary sources of antioxidants, including chlorogenic acid and polyphenols. These compounds help combat oxidative stress, a key contributor to age-related eye problems affecting the macula.
However, the antioxidant content of coffee alone may not be enough to fully protect the eyesโespecially in individuals with high visual demands or existing macular changes.
Eggs โ the yolks are rich in bioavailable lutein
Avocados โ packed with healthy fats to aid nutrient absorption
Dark leafy greens โ like spinach, kale, and collard greens
These nutrients act like natural sunglasses, filtering harmful blue light and reducing harm to the macula.
โ So, Should You Stop Drinking Coffee?
Absolutely notโunless advised by your doctor. For most people, coffee can be part of a healthy lifestyle. But as with anything health-related, context matters.
If you're someone with:
A family history of glaucoma or already managing elevated eye pressure โ Be cautious with high caffeine intake and consider pairing it with saffron. Drink no more than 2 cups of coffee a day, or consider switching to hot herbal tea instead.
Dry eyes or screen-related discomfort โ Coffee could help, especially when combined with B12 and proper hydration.
Concerns about macular health or ageing vision โ Antioxidants from coffee are a plus, but boosting your intake of lutein and zeaxanthin is even better.
โ Nutravision: Nutritional Support That Complements Your Coffee
Keeping track of all these nutrients can be overwhelmingโespecially if youโre juggling a busy schedule. Thatโs where Nutravision comes in.
Nutravision is a science-based supplement designed to support your eyes with:
Saffron โ clinically shown to reduce eye pressure and support the macula
Active vitamin B12 โ to support corneal nerves and reduce dry eye symptoms
Lutein & Zeaxanthin โ to protect the macula against damage from oxidative stress, UV rays and blue light damage
It is built on the proprietary NP-10 Systemโข โ a pioneering framework for the eye-nerve-brain vision ecosystem โ to target the underlying biocellular pathways of eye health decline, providing advanced support where traditional treatments and eye drops may fall short.
So whether youโre sipping espresso, enjoying a flat white, or mixing up a saffron latte, Nutravision has your eye health covered โ conveniently and effectively โ so you can maintain independence, quality of life, and confidence in your vision for years to come.
