Vaccinium myrtillus, commonly called bilberry, grows naturally in North America and northern Europe. A close relative of blueberry, bilberry has a traditional role in treating numerous types of vision problems. Some research supports the use of bilberry for certain vision disorders that decrease color vision, according to the National Institutes of Health at its MedlinePlus website. Consult a qualified health care provider before taking bilberry supplements.
Traditional Uses
People have used dried bilberry fruit for relieving diarrhea and as a topical preparation for relieving inflammation of mucous membranes. In addition, the dried fruit and bilberry extract have traditionally been used for treating nearsightedness, eyestrain and poor night vision and for stopping the progression of cataracts, according to MedlinePlus.
Research
Animal research and preliminary research with humans supports some uses of bilberry for vision problems, according to the University of Michigan Health System, or UMHS. Bilberry may be beneficial for treating or slowing the progression of macular degeneration, retinopathy due to diabetes or high blood pressure and retinitis pigmentosa. Bilberry also may help prevent cataracts and stop the worsening of cataracts. All these disorders are associated with some degree of color vision loss as well as other vision loss. Research generally does not support the use of bilberry for improving night vision, according to the UMHS.
Properties
The beneficial activity of bilberry is mainly due to components called anthocyanins, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory properties and protective effects on blood vessels. They also have antioxidant properties, and they scavenge free radicals, harmful substances in the body that can cause cell damage and disease.
Combination Treatment
Some supplements combine bilberry and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids accumulate in the eye lens and retina and appear to have a protective effect against cataracts and macular degeneration. In one study cited by the UMHS, adults who ate the most lutein-rich foods had almost a 60 percent lower risk of macular degeneration than adults with the least lutein intake.
Safety
No negative effects have been reported from taking bilberry, according to the UMHS, and the supplements are generally considered safe when taken in recommended doses. Large doses may cause an upset stomach, and fresh bilberry may have a laxative effect. Animal studies have indicated bilberry can cause low blood sugar, according to MedlinePlus, so patients taking medication to regulate blood sugar should be cautious about using bilberry for treating vision problems or other disorders.
Member Comments