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Condition

Eye Health

Eye health depends on the retina, lens and other delicate tissues staying clear and working well, and macular degeneration and cataracts involve gradual age-related wear on them. Lutein and zeaxanthin have the strongest evidence, with omega-3s moderate, and a study of 91 people found a gramicidin-containing eye drop effective for bacterial corneal ulcers. That ulcer study looked back at past cases, and bilberry's easing of screen-related focusing strain came from just 141 people.

Sources: PMID 14693766

Supplements studied
9
Medicines and peptides
2
Graded outcomes
12
Trials
12
People studied
334

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

9 supplements

Bilberry

Bilberry: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Visual Display Terminal Eye Fatigue

Improved accommodation after VDT use

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect141 people
Ciliary Muscle Function

Significant improvement at weeks 8 and 12

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect109 people
Dry Eye Symptoms

Preliminary improvement in signs and symptoms

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect38 people
Glaucoma Visual Field

Reduced visual field degradation over 24 months

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect38 people
Night Vision (Normal)

No effect in rigorous RCTs - the WWII legend is debunked

NoneNo effect120 people

Cocoa Extract

Cocoa Extract: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Pressure

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect10 studies60 people

Studies that measured blood pressure

and 7 more on the Cocoa Extract page

Intraocular PressureImproves (the measure goes up)60 people

Ginkgo Biloba

  • Blood Pressure
  • Intraocular Pressure: improves
  • Ocular Blood Flow: improves
Ginkgo Biloba: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Pressure

No effect

NoneNo effect3 studies26 people

Studies that measured blood pressure

Intraocular PressureImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies53 people

Studies that measured intraocular pressure

Ocular Blood FlowImproves (the measure goes up)1 study26 people

Studies that measured ocular blood flow

Heart RateImproves (the measure goes down)53 people
Visual acuity (VA)Improves (the measure goes up)27 people

Astaxanthin

  • Bilirubin
  • Oxidative Stress Biomarkers: changes; see studies
  • Total cholesterol: changes; see studies
Astaxanthin: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bilirubin

No effect

NoneNo effect20 people
Oxidative Stress BiomarkersChanges; see studies3 studies30 people

Studies that measured oxidative stress biomarkers

Total cholesterolChanges; see studies2 studies20 people

Studies that measured total cholesterol

TriglyceridesChanges; see studies2 studies20 people

Studies that measured triglycerides

Blood glucoseChanges; see studies1 study20 people

Studies that measured blood glucose

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)1 study20 people
HbA1cChanges; see studies20 people
HematocritImproves (the measure goes up)20 people
Intraocular PressureImproves (the measure goes up)20 people
Kidney FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)20 people
Ocular Blood FlowImproves (the measure goes up)20 people
Serum PlateletsImproves (the measure goes up)20 people
White Blood Cell CountImproves (the measure goes up)20 people

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

  • Blood Flow
  • Fatigue Symptoms: changes; see studies
  • Ocular Blood Flow: improves
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Flow

No effect

NoneNo effect100 people
Fatigue SymptomsChanges; see studies100 people
Ocular Blood FlowImproves (the measure goes up)100 people

Saffron

  • Visual acuity (VA): improves
Saffron: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Visual acuity (VA)Improves (the measure goes up)3 studies25 people

Studies that measured visual acuity (va)

Coleus forskohlii

  • Intraocular Pressure: improves
Coleus forskohlii: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Intraocular PressureImproves (the measure goes up)2 studies22 people

Studies that measured intraocular pressure

Cannabis

  • Intraocular Pressure: improves
Cannabis: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Intraocular PressureImproves (the measure goes up)2 studies15 people

Studies that measured intraocular pressure

Melatonin

  • Intraocular Pressure: improves
Melatonin: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Intraocular PressureImproves (the measure goes up)1 study9 people

Studies that measured intraocular pressure

Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context

These are not supplements. Most need a prescription, and some are research compounds with no approved use. They are listed so the supplement evidence above can be read against them.

2 medicines and peptides

Gramicidin

  • Bacterial Corneal Ulceration: improves
  • Bacterial Conjunctivitis: improves
Gramicidin: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Bacterial Corneal Ulceration

Retrospective study (n=91): Polymyxin B/neomycin/gramicidin effective and safe for bacterial corneal ulcers. 51% culture-positive with S. aureus and P. aeruginosa most common. Standard treatment at major medical centers.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect7 studies
Bacterial Conjunctivitis

FDA-approved ophthalmic formulation (Neosporin Ophthalmic). Triple antibiotic combination for bacterial eye infections. Standard first-line therapy for superficial ocular infections.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect6 studies

Bacitracin

  • Ophthalmic Infections: improves
Bacitracin: outcomes studied for Eye Health
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Ophthalmic Infections

FDA-approved ophthalmic formulation for bacterial conjunctivitis and eye infections. Often combined with polymyxin B. Standard therapy for bacterial eye infections.

Improves (the measure goes up)Moderate effect6 studies

Key findings

  • Visual Display Terminal Eye FatigueBilberryImproves (the measure goes down)
  • Ciliary Muscle FunctionBilberryImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Blood PressureCocoa ExtractImproves (the measure goes down)

The Eye Health Support protocol

2 primary supplements · 4 supporting supplements

  • Lutein and Zeaxanthin10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin daily
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids2–3 g EPA+DHA daily

See the full protocol

Studies cited

47 studies from PubMed

  1. A classic antibiotic reimagined: Rationally designed bacitracin variants exhibit potent activity against vancomycin-resistant pathogensACS Infect Dis, 2024 · PMID 38990944
  2. Efficacy of topical drugs in the treatment of patients with acute inflammatory diseases of the pharynxVestn Otorinolaringol, 2020 · PMID 32027334
  3. The Multifaceted Antibacterial Mechanisms of the Pioneering Peptide Antibiotics Tyrocidine and Gramicidin SmBio, 2018 · PMID 30301848
  4. Routine Use of Topical Bacitracin to Prevent Sternal Wound Infections After Cardiac SurgeryInnovations (Phila), 2017 · PMID 28709667
  5. Gramicidin S and polymyxins: the revival of cationic cyclic peptide antibioticsInt J Antimicrob Agents, 2009 · PMID 19701717
  6. Topical triple-antibiotic ointment as a novel therapeutic choice in wound management and infection prevention: a practical perspectiveJ Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2007 · PMID 17914912
  7. Structure-activity relationships of de novo designed cyclic antimicrobial peptides based on gramicidin SJ Med Chem, 2003 · PMID 12712499
  8. The efficacy and safety of topical polymyxin B, neomycin and gramicidin for treatment of presumed bacterial corneal ulcerationBr J Ophthalmol, 2003 · PMID 14693766
  9. The interaction of the antimicrobial peptide gramicidin S with lipid bilayer model and biological membranesBiochim Biophys Acta, 1999 · PMID 10590309
  10. Chemotherapy for giardiasis: randomized clinical trial of bacitracin, bacitracin zinc, and a combination of bacitracin zinc with neomycin.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 1995 · PMID 7741168
  11. Bacitracin: a unique topical antibiotic sensitizerAm J Contact Dermat, 1987 · PMID 2963037
  12. Mechanism of action of bacitracin: complexation with metal ion and C55-isoprenyl pyrophosphateProc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1971 · PMID 4332017
  13. Utilization of gramicidin dragee in throat inflammation and tonsillitisMed Welt, 1958 · PMID 13564649
  14. Influence of saffron supplementation on retinal flicker sensitivity in early age-related macular degenerationInvest Ophthalmol Vis Sci · PMID 20688744
  15. Saffron therapy for the treatment of mild/moderate age-related macular degeneration: a randomised clinical trialGraefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol · PMID 30343354
  16. Functional effect of Saffron supplementation and risk genotypes in early age-related macular degeneration: a preliminary reportJ Transl Med · PMID 24067115
  17. Effect of melatonin on intraocular pressureCurr Eye Res · PMID 3416618
  18. Short-term effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on peripapillary retinal blood flow in normal tension glaucomaKorean J Ophthalmol · PMID 21976939
  19. Acute effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on vascular function and blood pressurePlant Foods Hum Nutr · PMID 21647656
  20. Effect of Ginkgo biloba on blood pressure and incidence of hypertension in elderly men and womenAm J Hypertens · PMID 20168306
  21. Effects of a Ginkgo biloba extract on forearm haemodynamics in healthy volunteersClin Physiol Funct Imaging · PMID 12464140
  22. Ginkgo biloba extract increases ocular blood flow velocityJ Ocul Pharmacol Ther · PMID 10385132
  23. Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on preexisting visual field damage in normal tension glaucomaOphthalmology · PMID 12578781
  24. Influence of Ginkgo biloba on ocular blood flowActa Ophthalmol Scand · PMID 17324220
  25. Effect of forskolin eyedrops on intraocular pressure in healthy malesKlin Monbl Augenheilkd · PMID 6543235
  26. The effects of forskolin eye drops on intra-ocular pressureS Afr Med J · PMID 3554560
  27. The short-term effect of flavonoid-rich dark chocolate on retinal vessel diameter in glaucoma patients and age-matched controlsActa Ophthalmol · PMID 24628966
  28. Postprandial effects of dark chocolate on portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis: results of a phase 2, double-blind, randomized controlled trialAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 22811444
  29. Effect of cocoa products on blood pressure: systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Hypertens · PMID 19910929
  30. Dark chocolate for children's blood pressure: randomised trialArch Dis Child · PMID 22685047
  31. Dark chocolate or tomato extract for prehypertension: a randomised controlled trialBMC Complement Altern Med · PMID 19583878
  32. Effect of cocoa on blood pressureCochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 28439881
  33. Effect of dark chocolate on nitric oxide serum levels and blood pressure in prehypertension subjectsActa Med Indones · PMID 22156352
  34. Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trialNutr J · PMID 23565841
  35. Characterisation of hypertensive patients with improved endothelial function after dark chocolate consumptionInt J Hypertens · PMID 23533716
  36. Safety and efficacy of cocoa flavanol intake in healthy adults: a randomized, controlled, double-masked trialAm J Clin Nutr · PMID 26537937
  37. Marijuana smoking and reduced pressure in human eyes: drug action or epiphenomenon?Invest Ophthalmol · PMID 1089090
  38. Effect of sublingual application of cannabinoids on intraocular pressure: a pilot studyJ Glaucoma · PMID 16988594
  39. Effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress in overweight and obese adultsPhytother Res · PMID 21480416
  40. Positive effects of astaxanthin on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in overweight subjectsPlant Foods Hum Nutr · PMID 21964877
  41. A blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial on the use of astaxanthin as an adjunct to splinting in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndromeHand · PMID 23449748
  42. Markers of Hypoxia and Oxidative Stress in Aging Volunteers Ingesting Lycosomal Formulation of Dark Chocolate Containing AstaxanthinJ Nutr Health Aging · PMID 30379308
  43. Assessing the Effects of Moderate to High Dosage of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Lipid Profile Parameters-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.Pharmaceuticals · PMID 40872489
  44. Antioxidant Lipid Supplement on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Nutrients · PMID 39064656
  45. Astaxanthin improves glucose metabolism and reduces blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusAsia Pac J Clin Nutr · PMID 29384321
  46. Erythrocytes carotenoids after astaxanthin supplementation in middle-aged and senior Japanese subjectsJ Oleo Sci · PMID 21937848
  47. Astaxanthin increases choroidal blood flow velocityGraefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol · PMID 22072378

Supplement stack for Eye Health