Myth check
No. The most rigorous studies found that bilberry does not improve night vision in healthy people. A review of 12 placebo-controlled trials found the four most recent randomized ones were all negative. The World War II pilot story behind bilberry is a story, not evidence. VisiFlora lists bilberry without an amount.
Written by the VisiFlora editorial teamUpdated · 7 min read
The ingredient
Bilberry is a small dark berry from the plant Vaccinium myrtillus. Supplements sell its extract mainly for night vision.
The fruit is considered safe in food amounts. NCCIH says bilberry has not been clearly shown to help any health condition (NCCIH: bilberry). VisiFlora's sales page lists bilberry extract, and the brand graphic shows it as a headline ingredient (Sales page, tryvisiflora.com).
The legend
It comes from a popular story about World War II pilots and bilberries. It is a story, not evidence, and no trial cited here backs it.
The same story often sits behind "military" eye marketing. The VisiFlora bottle says "Military-Inspired Formula". When a product leans on a war story, check what the trials found. For bilberry, they are clear.
The evidence
No, not in healthy people. A systematic review of 12 placebo-controlled trials found the four most recent randomized trials were all negative.
| Question | Finding | Source |
|---|---|---|
| How many placebo-controlled trials were reviewed? | 12 | (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision) |
| What did the four most recent randomized trials show? | All negative | (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision) |
| Does bilberry improve normal night vision? | Not supported by rigorous studies | (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision) (NCCIH: bilberry) |
| What about people with eye disease? | No rigorous research in people with impaired night vision from eye disease | (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision) |
| Has bilberry been shown to help any condition? | Not clearly | (NCCIH: bilberry) |
The review's authors concluded that the idea is not supported by rigorous studies (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision). That is as plain as research gets.
The label
The amount is not published. Only zinc has a stated amount on the sales page, so the bilberry dose is a blank.
| Name on the sales page | Bilberry Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Vaccinium myrtillus fruit |
| Type | Fruit extract |
| Amount per capsule | Not published |
| Amount used in research | Extracts up to 160 mg a day were tolerated for 6 months |
| Strength of evidence | Rigorous trials: no night-vision benefit |
| Why it is in the formula | Sold for night vision |
| Main caution | Safe in food amounts. The night-vision story is not supported by rigorous trials. |
Even with an amount, the trials above give little reason to expect sharper night vision. Our bilberry profile has the full details.
Better bets
Eye exams, not smoking, sunglasses and a diet with greens and fish. Single ingredients such as bilberry rank near the bottom.
Finds glaucoma and diabetic eye disease before you notice symptoms. (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy) (AAO: how often adults need eye exams)
Cut the risk of advanced AMD by about 25% over five years, in that group only. (NEI: who AREDS supplements help) (Cochrane: antioxidants for slowing AMD)
One of NEI's core steps for keeping eyes healthy. (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy)
NEI advises lenses that block 99-100% of UVA and UVB. (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy)
Kale and spinach are top lutein sources; diet is the everyday route. (Review: lutein and zeaxanthin in foods) (NEI: everyday ways to keep eyes healthy)
Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds; screen strain usually eases with rest. (AAO: screen time and eye strain tips)
Small or negative studies: bilberry failed rigorous night-vision trials. (Review: astaxanthin and the eye) (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision)
No published study; amounts are not published, so nothing can be compared. (FTC: health product advertising rules) (Brand advertorial, ACCESS Newswire)
Bar length shows how much published evidence supports each step for protecting your sight, based on the eye-health sources linked here. A reading aid, not a score from any one source.
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Order nowSafety
It appears well tolerated in studies. Extracts up to 160 mg a day for up to six months were well tolerated, and the fruit is safe in food amounts (NCCIH: bilberry).
VisiFlora combines bilberry with 20 other ingredients, and some carry cautions. Ginkgo may raise bleeding risk with blood thinners (NCCIH: ginkgo). Supplements can interact with medicines, so tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take (NCCIH: using supplements wisely). See the side effects page.
Marketing check
Because it is a memorable story, and stories sell. Evidence is a different matter.
The FTC says health claims need competent and reliable evidence, generally randomized, controlled human trials, and testimonials are never enough (FTC: health product advertising rules). For bilberry and night vision, those trials exist, and the recent ones were negative (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision). Our claims, checked page compares the "Military-Inspired" line with the research.
What to do
Book a dilated eye exam. Night-vision trouble has causes an exam can find, and bilberry has no rigorous research in people with impaired night vision from eye disease (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision).
Eye symptoms need an exam, not a supplement. Sudden floaters, flashes of light or a shadow over your vision can mean retinal detachment, a medical emergency (NEI: urgent warning signs). Go to an eye doctor or emergency room right away.
FAQ
No, not in healthy people. NCCIH says the most rigorous studies have not found bilberry effective for night vision (NCCIH: bilberry), and the four most recent randomized trials in a systematic review were all negative (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision). There is no rigorous research in people with eye disease.
It is a popular story, not evidence. Whatever its origin, controlled trials later tested bilberry for night vision, and the most recent randomized ones were all negative (Systematic review: bilberry and night vision). Treat "military" eye marketing as a story until a trial says otherwise.
It seems safe for up to six months, which is as long as the data go. Extracts up to 160 mg a day for six months appeared well tolerated, and the fruit is safe in food amounts (NCCIH: bilberry). Longer use has less data, so tell your doctor you take it.
The amount is not published. The sales page names bilberry extract but gives an amount for zinc only (Sales page, tryvisiflora.com). Studies found extracts up to 160 mg a day for six months were tolerated (NCCIH: bilberry), but no one can compare VisiFlora's dose with that.
There is no good evidence that it can. NCCIH says bilberry has not been clearly shown to help any health condition (NCCIH: bilberry). For intermediate or late AMD, ask your eye doctor about an AREDS2 formula, which has trial support for that group (NEI: who AREDS supplements help).
There can be several causes, and only an exam can tell which one you have. Cataracts are one: more than half of Americans 80 or older have them or have had them removed, and surgery is the only fix (NEI: cataracts). Book a dilated eye exam rather than trying a supplement first.
Who wrote this
Plain-language pages built from what the seller publishes and from linked eye-health sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a USA authorized VisiFlora retailer, not by the manufacturer. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
Bilberry in VisiFlora: the night-vision story behind the military angle, and what rigorous trials actually found.
Read more
Every VisiFlora claim beside the research: what is shown, what is early, and what is just marketing.
Read moreThe FDA and FTC warning signs for eye supplements, how to read a label and reviews, and how VisiFlora measures up.
Read moreUSA authorized VisiFlora retailer
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