Bilberry Extract in Retina Clear: What It Is and What the Research Says
Retina ClearA dark European blueberry relative rich in anthocyanin pigments.
Retina ClearWhat it is
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a wild berry related to the blueberry. Its extract is standardized to anthocyanosides, purple pigments that act as antioxidants in the lab.
What research says
The folklore says British pilots used bilberry jam to see better at night in World War II. A systematic review of placebo-controlled trials (Canter and Ernst, 2004) found that the better-designed studies did not show a real improvement in night vision. Later small studies on eye fatigue have been mixed.
How Retina Clear uses it
Bilberry is one of the fourteen blend ingredients in Retina Clear, with no stated amount or anthocyanin percentage, and both matter when you compare extracts.
Quick answer
Does bilberry improve night vision?
The best evidence says probably not in healthy adults. It is still a reasonable antioxidant berry, but do not expect a change in how you see in the dark.