In severe ocular pathology such as retinopathies of various type, simple glaucoma and toxic amblyopia, anthocyanin extract is reported to mitigate the changes at level of retinal vessels or to prevent the alterations in the visual field.^(1,2) The potential efficacy of Indena 36% anthocyanin bilberry extract in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy was evaluated in patients with a type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-proliferative retinopathy, which received 480 mg/day 36% bilberry extract p.o., for 180 days. Fundoscopies were performed before, during and after treatment. The Bilberry extract induced a clear improvement in the retinopathy, with marked reduction or disappearance of retinic haemorrhages.⁽³⁾ (Fig. 1)

Fig. 1

In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, 40 patients with either diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy were treated with 36% anthocyanin bilberry extract 320 mg/day p.o., for 30 days or with placebo.⁽⁴⁾ Ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein fundus angiography were performed before and after treatment. A significant improvement in the ophthalmoscopic and angiographic patterns was observed in 77-90% of treated patients.

Furthermore, in a study performed on 40 patients with diabetic retinopathy in a relatively early phase, 36% anthocyanin bilberry extract (320 mg/day, p.o.) or placebo was administered for 12 months.⁽⁵⁾ Fluorescein fundus angiography was performed at the beginning and the end of the treatment, ophthalmoscopy every 3 months. The Bilberry extract promoted the regression of hard exudates at the posterior pole, an index of alterated permeability, in 50% of patients. Whereas positive results were obtained only in 20% of patients treated with the placebo.

 

1. Coutinho D., Barcaui P.P., Rev. Bras. Oftal. 34, 47 (1975).
2. Scharrer A., Ober M., Klin. Mbl. Augenheilk 178, 386 (1981).
3. Orsucci PL, Rossi M, Sabbatini G, Menci S, Berni M. Trattamento della retinopatia diabetica con antocianosidi. Indagine preliminare. Clin Ocul. 1983; 4:77-81.
4. Perossini M, Guidi G, Chiellini S, Siravo D. Diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy therapy with Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides (Tegens). A double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul. 1987; 113:1173-90.
5. Repossi P, Malagola R, De Cadilhac C. The role of anthocyanosides on vascular permeability in diabetic retinopathy. Ann Ottalmol Clin Ocul. 1987; 113:357-61.

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