Anthocyanins and Glaucoma: Scientific Overview

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring flavonoid pigments found in various fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, blackcurrants, and purple sweet potatoes. Their potential role in supporting eye health, including glaucoma, has been explored in several experimental and small clinical studies.

Scientific Evidence: There is some scientific support for the use of anthocyanins in glaucoma, but the evidence is limited and of modest quality. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that anthocyanins possess antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, which may help protect retinal ganglion cells from oxidative stress—a factor implicated in glaucomatous damage. A few small human studies and pilot trials (notably with blackcurrant anthocyanins) have reported improvements in ocular blood flow and suggested possible benefits for visual function in glaucoma patients. However, these studies often suffer from small sample sizes, short durations, and lack of robust controls.

Conclusion: While there is some scientific rationale and preliminary clinical evidence suggesting anthocyanins could be helpful in glaucoma by improving ocular blood flow and exerting neuroprotective effects, current evidence does not strongly support their use as a primary or standalone therapy. More rigorous, large-scale clinical trials are required to establish efficacy and safety.