Bilberry, Pycnogenol Supplement Lowers Hypertension in Eye Almost as Effectively as Medicated Drops

In the May issue of Clinical Ophthalmology, researchers comparing the effects of dietary supplement Mirtogenol and medicated Latanoprost eye drops found that the supplement works almost as effectively as the drug to lower intraocular pressure (IOP)'”albeit over a longer period of time.

The study followed 79 patients with IOP'”a condition that occurs when the amount of oxygen and nutrient-rich fluid circulated through the eye exceeds the amount that is drained, over time possibly leading to vision loss and glaucoma.

Subjects were separated into three groups'”one receiving only the Mirtogenol supplement, one receiving only the Latanoprost eye drops, and one receiving both. IOP and retina blood flow were monitored in monthly intervals over 24 weeks.

The combination of Mirtogenol and Latanoprost lowered IOP the most than either treatment when used alone, from 38.0 to 27.3 mmHg (a 10.7 difference) after four weeks, and further from to 24.2 mmHg (from baseline, a total 13.8 difference) after six weeks. (Normal eye pressure ranges from 10 to 21 mmHg.) Alone, Mirtogenol lowered IOP from baseline 38.1 to 29.0 mmHg (a 9.1 difference) after 16 weeks, Latanoprost alone lowered IOP from 37.7 to 27.2 mmHg (a 10.5 difference), but worked more quickly, showing these results after four weeks.

Mirtogenol and Latanoprost together also most effectively improved blood flow to the eyes, although they also did so individually as well, furthering normalizing ocular pressure.

Mirtogenol is a proprietary supplement containing Indena S.p.A....s Mirtoselect bilberry (80 mg) and Horphag Research Ltd....s Pycnogenol (40 mg).

Indena says that nearly 10% of U.S. adults suffer from IOP. 'Ocular hypertension is not only a major contributor to impaired vision, but can result in serious health challenges including glaucoma, a condition that affects nearly 2.5 million U.S. adults,' said lead study researcher Dr. Robert Steigerwalt, Jr. 'Consistent with previous studies, this new research further demonstrates that Mirtogenol is an effective, natural solution for improving blood flow through the central retinal arteries.

Click here to view the full study.