Pycnogenol & Strabismus

Pycnogenol is the trademark name for a supplemental product derived from the pine bark of the Pinus pinaster tree. It is used as an alternative treatment for various disorders, including those of circulation, diabetes and retinal disease. Research on its use is ongoing but Pycnogenol may be effective in treating diabetic retinopathy. However, no research exists supporting use of this product in treating strabismus, an eye disorder occurring mostly in infancy and early childhood. Consult your physician before taking Pycnogenol supplements.

About Pycnogenol

The pine bark of Pycnogenol is native to Mediterranean countries. The active ingredients in the formulations marketed in the United States include proanthocyanidins with antioxidant activity, protective compounds also found in produce, that neutralize harmful molecules in the body called free radicals. Historically, the pine bark that was later to become Pycnogenol was found by happenstance in 1535 by French explorer Jacques Cartier. Cartier's crew was shipwrecked and his crew became ill with scurvy, vitamin C deficiency. Natives of the region explained to the crew that tea from the tree bark would cure the condition and it was not until the 1950s that a French researcher Dr. Jacques Masquelier, investigated exactly what was in the tree bark that promoted healing.

Pycnogenol and Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic eye disease, or retinopathy, affects more than four million American adults, according to the Archives of Opthalmology. It occurs as a complication of diabetes and it is the leading cause of blindness. Retinopathy results from changes in the blood vessels of the retina either from swelling or fluid leakage. The condition has four stages, with the advanced stage causing severe visual loss or blindness. Annual screenings can help detect the presence of retinopathy and treatment may include managing diabetes and circulatory problems, laser surgery to shrink abnormal blood vessels or short-term use of Pycnogenol. A 2009 study in the "Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics," found Pycnogenol effective for improving visual disturbance when used in the early stages of retinopathy.

Strabismus and ROP

Strabismus occurs when the muscles of the eye are not controlled, resulting in "crossed eyes." The condition is more common in the first year of life at a rate of nearly 14 percent in preterm or low-birth weight infants, notes the "Archives of Opthalmology," and it is more likely to occur in infants with severe retinopathy of prematurity, or ROP. However, older children or adult can also develop strabismus. Treatment includes glasses, vision therapy or eye muscle surgery. Although limited Pycnogenol studies indicate safety of use for children with asthma, notes MedlinePlus, no studies exist for use in infants with ROP related strabismus.

Dosing and Safety

Pycnogenol is considered safe when taken in doses of 50 to 450 mg daily for up to six months. It is available over-the-counter in differing doses. Adverse reactions may include irritability or mild stomach discomfort. Pycnogenol increases immune system functions and if you have an autoimmune disease, you should avoid this supplement. Do not take Pycnogenol with immunosuppressant medications. Consult your physician before taking Pycnogenol or related supplements.