Herbal Remedies For Retinopathy

Retinopathy is damage to the retina, which is at the back of the eye and responsible for receiving light that passes through the lens. Common causes of retinopathy include diabetes and high blood pressure, both of which damage the small blood vessels that nourish the specialized cells of the retina. A damaged retina cannot relay appropriate visual information through the optic nerve and can result in blindness. Some herbs can strengthen blood vessels and prevent deterioration and leakage.

Bilberry

Bilberry is used as an herbal eye remedy because it is rich in vitamins A, C and proanthocyanidins, all of which protect and strengthen the small blood vessels that feed the eye, as cited in "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine." Being antioxidants, bilberries also scavenge free radicals and reduce inflammation within vascular tissue. Bilberry can aid in the formation of new capillaries and generates rhodopsin, a pigment needed for night vision.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a strong vasodilator, which increases the diameter of blood vessels and allows more blood to nourish the retina. Ginkgo is especially beneficial for the retinal cells responsible for distinguishing colors, as cited in "Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica." Ginkgo also contains flavonoids and terpenoids, antioxidants that protect against retinopathy.

Quercitin

Quercitin is a flavonoid that can be beneficial for preventing blood clots because it inhibits inflammation by reducing histamine formation. Quercitin also slows the formation of insulin-like growth factor, which is significant for the development of diabetes. Further, a 2007 study published in the "Journal of Nutrition" found that quercitin reduces high blood pressure, which reduces stress on the walls of blood vessels.

Parsley

Parsley contains strong antioxidants, such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that are concentrated in the middle of the retina, called the macula, which absorb blue light and protect the specialized cells of the retina from damage. The more lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet, the better the macula is protected from light and oxidation damage, according to "Human Biochemistry and Disease."

Grape Seed Extract

Grape seed extract is also rich in proanthocyanidins, which are especially effective at preventing blood leakage from damaged vessels, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Grape seed extract is commonly used to treat weakened blood vessels, which become damaged from glucose toxicity, high blood pressure and free radical damage.