Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Berries—particularly bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)—have a long-standing traditional use for supporting eyesight, especially for night vision. This belief gained prominence during World War II, when British Royal Air Force pilots reportedly consumed bilberry jam to improve their night vision before missions. However, scientific studies to date have not robustly confirmed these effects. Some small clinical trials have explored bilberry and other berry extracts for visual fatigue and night vision, but results have been mixed or inconclusive. The active compounds thought to be responsible are anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid, which may have antioxidant properties that theoretically could benefit eye health by protecting the retina and blood vessels from oxidative stress. Despite these traditional claims and plausible mechanisms, systematic reviews and well-designed clinical studies have not provided strong evidence to support the use of berries, including bilberry, for the treatment or prevention of poor eyesight in humans. Thus, while berries are widely used in traditional herbal medicine for vision support, their efficacy remains scientifically unproven and should not substitute evidence-based treatments for eye conditions.

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