Research suggests that bilberry extract may support several aspects of eye health, including reducing inflammation-related oxidative damage in the eye, improving tear secretion in those with dry eye symptoms, supporting retinal circulation in patients with vascular conditions, and potentially countering early obesity-related molecular changes in retinal tissue. The available evidence comes largely from animal studies, small human trials, and a non-randomized registry study, with only one small randomized controlled element and one multi-ingredient pilot study contributing human clinical data, limiting the overall strength of conclusions. Studies indicate that standardized bilberry extracts containing non-anthocyanin components alongside anthocyanins may offer enhanced bioavailability and superior outcomes compared to generic extracts, though the evidence base remains preliminary. A 2022 review cautions that bilberry's reputation for vision support is partly rooted in historically unverified claims, and that the broader body of research suffers from a lack of large-scale, rigorous controlled trials, meaning no firm conclusions about efficacy can yet be drawn.
Citations from PubMed and preprint sources. Match score (0-100) reflects automated search ranking, not clinical appraisal.
| Title | Type | Year | Direction | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilberries: Curative and Miraculous - A Review on Bioactive Constituents and ... | Review | 2022 | Mixed | 100 |
| Protective effects of bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract against endo... | Other | 2010 | Supports | 95 |
| An Open-Label Pilot Study on Macumax Supplementation for Dry-Type Age-Related... | RCT | 2021 | Supports | 90 |
| The effect of a natural, standardized bilberry extract (Mirtoselect®) in dry ... | Other | 2017 | Supports | 85 |
| Bilberries potentially alleviate stress-related retinal gene expression induc... | Other | 2012 | Supports | 80 |
| Bilberry extracts are not created equal: the role of non anthocyanin fraction... | Other | 2016 | Supports | 75 |