A cataract is an eye condition that often results in vision changes. In the early stages, frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription may help improve blurry vision, but in advanced stages, an eye surgeon may need to remove the cataract. To avoid surgery, many people take preventive measures that include taking herbal supplements, such as bilberry. Weighing the possible effectiveness of bilberry against potential risks may help you determine if bilberry is the best option for your eyes.
Cataracts
Cataracts form from the breakdown of proteins in the natural lens of the eye. Your natural lens is located behind the colored part of your eye, called the iris, and a healthy, clear lens helps to direct light onto the retina, which is the back lining of your eye from which the optic nerve sends messages to the brain. Your eye and brain work together to convert the light to visual images. Once a cataract forms, the light will not enter your eye properly, and this will result in blurred, foggy or otherwise distorted vision as the clumps of protein scatter the light entering the eye, often causing glare problems.
Medications and herbal supplements, such as bilberry, will not return the lens to a healthy state, but certain components of bilberry may help prevent or slow down growth.
Bilberry
Native to Europe, bilberry is a fruit similar to blueberries found in the United States. Bilberry contains antioxidants, which include vitamin C, as well as anthocyanosides, which are pigments. Some people believe antioxidants may help reduce or slow down the growth of cataracts in the natural lens. However, as of 2010, researchers have not determined the actual effectiveness of bilberry on risk reduction or prevention of cataracts.
Dosage
You should talk with your doctor about the dosage of bilberry you should take for the possible prevention of cataracts. You may decide to eat fresh or dried bilberries, or to take bilberry supplements to ensure that you have an adequate daily intake. Supplements come in liquid extract or in pill form. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, says a dose of bilberry for eye conditions may range from 80 to 480 mg, divided between two or three doses each day.
Additional Prevention
In addition to bilberry, your doctor may recommend more measures that may help increase the effectiveness of bilberry and other efforts you may use to prevent the growth of cataracts. One important element of prevention is to stop smoking. You should also eat a nutritious diet, rich in fruits and vegetables with antioxidant properties that, like bilberry, may help prevent cataracts. Your doctor may also recommend that you wear sunglasses when you go outdoors to reduce your eye exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Considerations
Discuss bilberry use with your doctor before you start the supplement. If you take anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, or diabetic medications, your doctor may determine that you should not take high doses of bilberry. The components of bilberry may increase your risk for bleeding or cause a drop in blood sugar levels.
