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
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Display Terminal Eye Fatigue Improved accommodation after VDT use | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 141 people | |||
| Ciliary Muscle Function Significant improvement at weeks 8 and 12 | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 109 people | |||
| Dry Eye Symptoms Preliminary improvement in signs and symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 38 people | |||
| Glaucoma Visual Field Reduced visual field degradation over 24 months | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 38 people | |||
| Night Vision (Normal) No effect in rigorous RCTs - the WWII legend is debunked | NoneNo effect | 120 people |
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Pressure Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 10 studies | 60 people | ||
Studies that measured blood pressure
| ||||||
| Intraocular Pressure | Improves (the measure goes up) | 60 people | ||||
Ginkgo Biloba
- Blood Pressure
- Intraocular Pressure: improves
- Ocular Blood Flow: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Pressure No effect | NoneNo effect | 3 studies | 26 people | |||
| Intraocular Pressure | Improves (the measure goes up) | 3 studies | 53 people | |||
| Ocular Blood Flow | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 26 people | |||
Studies that measured ocular blood flow | ||||||
| Heart Rate | Improves (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
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilirubin No effect | NoneNo effect | 20 people | ||||
| Oxidative Stress Biomarkers | Changes; see studies | 3 studies | 30 people | |||
Studies that measured oxidative stress biomarkers
| ||||||
| Total cholesterol | Changes; see studies | 2 studies | 20 people | |||
| Triglycerides | Changes; see studies | 2 studies | 20 people | |||
Studies that measured triglycerides | ||||||
| Blood glucose | Changes; see studies | 1 study | 20 people | |||
Studies that measured blood glucose | ||||||
| High-density lipoprotein (HDL) | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 20 people | |||
| HbA1c | Changes; see studies | 20 people | ||||
| Hematocrit | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
| Intraocular Pressure | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
| Kidney Function | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
| Ocular Blood Flow | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
| Serum Platelets | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
| White Blood Cell Count | Improves (the measure goes up) | 20 people | ||||
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
- Blood Flow
- Fatigue Symptoms: changes; see studies
- Ocular Blood Flow: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Flow No effect | NoneNo effect | 100 people | ||||
| Fatigue Symptoms | Changes; see studies | 100 people | ||||
| Ocular Blood Flow | Improves (the measure goes up) | 100 people |
Saffron
- Visual acuity (VA): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual acuity (VA) | Improves (the measure goes up) | 3 studies | 25 people | |||
Studies that measured visual acuity (va)
| ||||||
Coleus forskohlii
- Intraocular Pressure: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intraocular Pressure | Improves (the measure goes up) | 2 studies | 22 people | |||
Studies that measured intraocular pressure | ||||||
Cannabis
- Intraocular Pressure: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intraocular Pressure | Improves (the measure goes up) | 2 studies | 15 people | |||
Melatonin
- Intraocular Pressure: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intraocular Pressure | Improves (the measure goes up) | 1 study | 9 people | |||
Studies that measured intraocular pressure | ||||||
Prescription medicines and peptides studied, for context
Gramicidin
- Bacterial Corneal Ulceration: improves
- Bacterial Conjunctivitis: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies 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 effect | 7 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 effect | 6 studies |
Bacitracin
- Ophthalmic Infections: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies 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 effect | 6 studies |
Key findings
- Visual Display Terminal Eye FatigueImproves (the measure goes down)
- Ciliary Muscle FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)
- Blood PressureImproves (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
Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- Lipid Composition of Nanocarriers Shapes Interactions of Cyclic Antimicrobial Peptide Gramicidin S with Their Membranes.
- Discovery of a potent ornithine-modified gramicidin S analogue against drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis with minimal red blood cell toxicity.
- Machine-Learning Approach to Increase the Potency and Overcome the Hemolytic Toxicity of Gramicidin S.
- A classic antibiotic reimagined: Rationally designed bacitracin variants exhibit potent activity against vancomycin-resistant pathogens
- Modifying Membranotropic Action of Antimicrobial Peptide Gramicidin S by Star-like Polyacrylamide and Lipid Composition of Nanocontainers.
- A New Gramicidin S Analogue with Potent Antibacterial Activity and Negligible Hemolytic Toxicity.
- A grape seed and bilberry extract reduces blood pressure in individuals at risk of developing type 2 diabetes: the PRECISE study, a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over intervention study
- Ginger for treating nausea and vomiting: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- Bilberries: Curative and Miraculous - A Review on Bioactive Constituents and Clinical Research
- Effect of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with vitamin B6 and placebo during pregnancy: a meta-analysis
- Effects of Ginger Intake on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
- Efficacy of Bilberry and Grape Seed Extract Supplement Interventions to Improve Glucose and Cholesterol Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Different Populations-A Systematic Review of the Literature
- 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
- Effects of Bilberry Supplementation on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
- Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review
- Efficacy and Safety of Ginkgo biloba in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Meta-Analysis
- Efficacy of topical drugs in the treatment of patients with acute inflammatory diseases of the pharynx
- Efficacy of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Ameliorating Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting and Chemotherapy-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review Update and Meta-Analysis
- Does the Oral Administration of Ginger Reduce Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting?: A Meta-analysis of 10 Randomized Controlled Trials
- Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb 761): Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Outcomes
- Ginkgo biloba L. Historical Background and Current Applications in Medicine
- Ginkgo biloba and Brain Health: A Comprehensive Review
- Safety Profile of Ginkgo biloba Extract: Evidence from Clinical Trials
- Topical (local) antibiotics for respiratory infections with sore throat: An antibiotic stewardship perspective
- Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Ginkgo biloba Extract
- Neuroprotective Effects of Ginkgo biloba Extract: A Review
- Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba on Peripheral Arterial Disease: Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Extract for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Meta-Analysis
- The Multifaceted Antibacterial Mechanisms of the Pioneering Peptide Antibiotics Tyrocidine and Gramicidin S
- Gramicidin Lateral Distribution in Phospholipid Membranes: Fluorescence Phasor Plots and Statistical Mechanical Model.
- Routine Use of Topical Bacitracin to Prevent Sternal Wound Infections After Cardiac Surgery
- The effect of a natural, standardized bilberry extract (Mirtoselect) in dry eye: a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial
- Ginkgo biloba Extract for Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Cochrane Review Summary
- Ginkgo biloba for Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Special Extract EGb 761 in Dementia: A Review
- Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba in Treating Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis
- Structure, toxicity and antibiotic activity of gramicidin S and derivatives.
- Complications associated with bacitracin powder in surgical wounds
- The effectiveness and safety of ginger for pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic review
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect and safety of ginger in the treatment of pregnancy-associated nausea and vomiting
- Effects of ginger for nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy: a meta-analysis
- A single supplement of a standardised bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract (36% wet weight anthocyanins) modifies glycaemic response in individuals with type 2 diabetes controlled by diet and lifestyle
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic literature review
- Intake of bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) reduced risk factors for cardiovascular disease by inducing favorable changes in lipoprotein profiles
- Vision preservation during retinal inflammation by anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract: cellular and molecular mechanism
- Polycationic gramicidin S analogues with both high antibiotic activity and very low hemolytic activity.
- 'Inverted' analogs of the antibiotic gramicidin S with an improved biological profile.
- Dietary anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract ameliorates hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in diabetic mice
- Gramicidin S and polymyxins: the revival of cationic cyclic peptide antibiotics
- Optimization of antimicrobial drug gramicidin S dosing regime using biosimulations.
- Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol
- Interaction of gramicidin S and its aromatic amino-acid analog with phospholipid membranes.
- Topical triple-antibiotic ointment as a novel therapeutic choice in wound management and infection prevention: a practical perspective
- Beta-turn modified gramicidin S analogues containing arylated sugar amino acids display antimicrobial and hemolytic activity comparable to the natural product.
- Anthocyanosides of Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) for night vision--a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials
- Interaction of gramicidin derivatives with phospholipid monolayers.
- The efficacy and safety of topical polymyxin B, neomycin and gramicidin for treatment of presumed bacterial corneal ulceration
- Structure-activity relationships of de novo designed cyclic antimicrobial peptides based on gramicidin S
- [Structural and functional characteristics of gramicidin S in connection with its antibiotic activity].
- Metal binding and structure-activity relationship of the metalloantibiotic peptide bacitracin.
- Reduction of rise in blood pressure and cortisol release during stress by Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in healthy volunteers
- Membrane-bound structure and alignment of the antimicrobial beta-sheet peptide gramicidin S derived from angular and distance constraints by solid state 19F-NMR.
- Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials
- The interaction of the antimicrobial peptide gramicidin S with lipid bilayer model and biological membranes
- Topical antimicrobial prophylaxis in minor wounds
- Chemotherapy for giardiasis: randomized clinical trial of bacitracin, bacitracin zinc, and a combination of bacitracin zinc with neomycin.
- Syntheses and antibacterial activities of gramicidin S analogs containing L-ornithine in place of L-valine.
- Comparison of topical antibiotic ointments, a wound protectant, and antiseptics for the treatment of human blister wounds contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus
- Dissociation of the antimicrobial activity of bacitracin USP from its renovascular effects.
- Kinetics of gramicidin channel formation in lipid bilayers: transmembrane monomer association.
- Bacitracin: a unique topical antibiotic sensitizer
- Mode of antibacterial action by gramicidin S.
- Mechanism of action of bacitracin: complexation with metal ion and C55-isoprenyl pyrophosphate
- Utilization of gramicidin dragee in throat inflammation and tonsillitis
- Bacitracin nephropathy: report of a case of acute renal failure and death.
- Gramicidin S; relationship of cyclic structure to antibiotic activity.
- The effect of bacitracin on renal function.
- BACITRACIN; new effective antibiotic agent.
- Astaxanthin increases choroidal blood flow velocity
- Erythrocytes carotenoids after astaxanthin supplementation in middle-aged and senior Japanese subjects
- Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects
- Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration
- Effectiveness of Dietary Supplement for Skin Moisturizing in Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
- Astaxanthin improves glucose metabolism and reduces blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Astaxanthin has no effect on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress, or inflammation in renal transplant recipients: a randomized controlled trial (the XANTHIN trial)
- Safety of an astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis algal extract: a randomized clinical trial
- Effects of astaxanthin on human blood rheology
- The effects of astaxanthin supplementation on obesity, blood pressure, CRP, glycemic biomarkers, and lipid profile: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on lipid peroxidation
- Antioxidant Lipid Supplement on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- 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.
- Antioxidant effect of astaxanthin on phospholipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes
- Effect of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Salivary IgA, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Young Soccer Players
- Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhanced immune response in humans
- Protective effects of Haematococcus astaxanthin on oxidative stress in healthy smokers
- Markers of Hypoxia and Oxidative Stress in Aging Volunteers Ingesting Lycosomal Formulation of Dark Chocolate Containing Astaxanthin
- Effects of Astaxanthin on Liver and Leukocyte Parameters in Healthy Climacteric Women: Preliminary Data
- Gastric inflammatory markers and interleukins in patients with functional dyspepsia treated with astaxanthin
- Astaxanthin supplementation does not augment fat use or improve endurance performance