Bilberry extract (2005, 2020) & AMD, and Cataracts

Learn more about macular degeneration treatment and information and cataracts.

2020

Bilberry/blueberry and other phytotherapeutic products (plants that either treat disease or promote health) help treat AMD by reducing retinal degeneration caused by a). oxidative stress, which affects proteins, lipids, and DNA, and can cause tissue damage or cell apoptosis, and b). pathological neovascularization (the process where new blood vessels are formed).

This 2020 review of studies analyzes the most investigated plants and natural products found to help treat AMD, including bilberry/blueberry, saffron, ginkgo, vitamins C and E, and more. Also discussed in this article is the safety, dosage, and efficiency of these products.

About Bilberry/blueberry and AMD

a. The largest contributor toward these berries' phytochemical mix are anthocyanins (water-soluble pigments in plants giving the fruit a violet-blue color with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties), which effectively treat AMD and many age-related ocular disorders.

b. Bilberries and blueberries improve oxygen and blood delivery to the eye.

c. They have potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.

d. They have a variety of compounds that help protect vision from damage caused by factors such as oxidative stress and blue light exposure, and they also reduce the risk of AMD by preventing cell damage and improving overall eye health.

e. Animal studies have also indicated that long-term supplementation with bilberry extract can effectively prevent degeneration of the eyes.

Bosch-Morell F, Villagrasa V, Ortega T, Acero N, Munoz-Mingarro D, et al. (2020). Medicinal plants and natural products as neuroprotective agents in age-related macular degeneration. Neural Regen Res. Dec;15(12):2207-2216.

2005

A 2005 Russian study looked at antioxidants' effect on damaging free radicals for cataracts and macular degeneration.

Bilberry's flavonoids are known as potent antioxidants, scavenging free radicals. They are effective for many age-related ocular disorders. The scientists looked at senescence-accelerated (accelerated biological aging) OXYS rats who were suffering from early senile cataract and macular degeneration. Young rats were given control diets or those supplemented with 25% bilberry extract or vitamin E. At 3 months testing showed that more then 70% of control OXYS rats had cataract and macular degeneration while the supplementation of BE completely prevented impairments in the lenses and retina.

The vitamin E had no significant effects but both antioxidants decreased lipid peroxides in the retina and serum of OXYS rats. The results suggest that the OXYS rat strain is the useful model for testing treatment for macular degeneration and cataracts and that long-term supplementation with bilberry extract is effective in prevention of macular degeneration and cataract.

Researchers: Fursova AZh, Gesarevich OG, Gonchar AM, Trofimova NA, Kolosova NG.

Published: Dietary supplementation with bilberry extract prevents macular degeneration and cataracts in senesce-accelerated OXYS rats, Adv Gerontol. 2005;16:76-9.