Home Ingredients Bilberon® (Standardized Bilberry Extract)
Eye Health

Bilberon® (Standardized Bilberry Extract)

Vaccinium myrtillus
Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Bilberon® is a standardized bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) extract concentrated for anthocyanins, the deep-blue pigments behind bilberry's eye-health reputation. Bilberry has a long history of use for vision and is studied for supporting the eye's focusing muscle and protecting against oxidative stress.

Studied Dose 240 mg/day of standardized bilberry extract in the cited 12-week ciliary-muscle RCT (Kosehira 2020). A separate 6-week Bilberon eye-fatigue study used 160 mg/day.
Active Compound Standardized bilberry fruit extract concentrated for anthocyanins (anthocyanoside pigments).

Benefits

Eye focusing support

In a single 12-week industry-funded trial (109 healthy adults), a standardized bilberry extract taken at 240 mg/day improved an objective laboratory measure of ciliary (focusing) muscle recovery after screen work. The extract tested was a different brand, not Bilberon itself, and the measure was a physiological marker rather than a vision or symptom outcome.

Supported by Trial 1

Antioxidant activity (laboratory only)

Bilberry anthocyanins act as antioxidants in laboratory tests. Whether this protects human eye tissue has not been measured in a clinical trial of this extract.

Supported by Trial 1

Microcirculation support

Bilberry is traditionally used to support healthy small-blood-vessel function, including in the eye.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Anthocyanin antioxidants

Bilberry's anthocyanins scavenge free radicals and support the regeneration of visual pigments, mechanisms linked to eye comfort and function.

2

Capillary support

Anthocyanins help maintain the integrity of small blood vessels that nourish the retina and other tissues.

Clinical trials

1
Bilberry Extract and Eye Focus — RCT
PubMed

12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of standardized bilberry extract on the eye's focusing muscle. (Kosehira et al. 2020, Nutrients)

Adults with eye strain from near work.

A standardized bilberry extract (240 mg/day, 109 adults) improved an objective marker of ciliary-muscle recovery versus placebo. The outcome was a physiological measure, the trial was funded by the extract's maker (a different brand than Bilberon), and no vision or symptom endpoint was reported.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated — adverse effects are uncommon at normal doses.
Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported.
Discontinue if any unusual reaction occurs.

Important Drug interactions

Anticoagulants — bilberry may have a mild blood-thinning effect; monitor.
Diabetes medication — may modestly affect blood sugar; monitor.
Tell your doctor before surgery.

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Frequently asked questions about Bilberon® (Standardized Bilberry Extract)

What is Bilberon?

Bilberon® is a standardized bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) extract concentrated for anthocyanins, the deep-blue pigments behind bilberry's eye-health reputation. Bilberry has a long history of use for vision and is studied for supporting the eye's focusing muscle and protecting against oxidative stress.

What is Bilberon used for?

Bilberon is researched primarily for Eye Health. In a single 12-week industry-funded trial (109 healthy adults), a standardized bilberry extract taken at 240 mg/day improved an objective laboratory measure of ciliary (focusing) muscle recovery after screen work.

What is the recommended dosage of Bilberon?

The clinically studied dose is 240 mg/day of standardized bilberry extract in the cited 12-week ciliary-muscle RCT (Kosehira 2020). A separate 6-week Bilberon eye-fatigue study used 160 mg/day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Bilberon safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Bilberon is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated — adverse effects are uncommon at normal doses. Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. Bilberon is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Bilberon interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Anticoagulants — bilberry may have a mild blood-thinning effect; monitor. Diabetes medication — may modestly affect blood sugar; monitor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Bilberon?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Bilberon as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Kosehira M, Machida N, Kitaichi N. A 12-Week-Long Intake of Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) Improved Objective Findings of Ciliary Muscle Contraction of the Eye: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Comparison Trial. Nutrients. 2020;12(3). doi: 10.3390/nu12030600..PubMedUsed to support: A 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 109 healthy adults aged 20 to 60 taking 240 mg/day of a standardized bilberry extract. The extract improved HFC-1, an objective marker of ciliary-muscle tonic accommodation after visual-display-terminal tasks, versus placebo (p around 0.02 at weeks 8 and 12). The outcome is a physiological surrogate, not a vision or symptom endpoint. The trial was conducted by employees of the extract's manufacturer (Omnica Co., Ltd.), and the product tested was not Bilberon.