Mirtogenol May Prevent Glaucoma

GENEVA & MILAN, Italy—New research published in the July issue of Molecular Vision demonstrates Mirtogenol™, a combination of standardized bilberry extract Mirtoselect® and French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol®, lowers high intraocular pressure (IOP), which significantly reduces the likelihood of developing glaucoma. This study describes the discovery of the first effective nutritional intervention supporting a healthier pressure in the eyes. While several circumstances are believed to be involved in the development of glaucoma, an elevated intra-ocular pressure is certain to represent the greatest variable risk factor.
“The study results are extremely promising as this is the first demonstration showing a natural food supplement, Mirtogenol, can contribute significantly to control intraocular pressure which is a major risk factor in developing glaucoma,” said Dr. Robert Steigerwalt, Jr., lead researcher of the study. “Because this formula is completely natural there are no serious side effects, making it a viable natural preventative option for anybody concerned about vision loss.”
The study, which was held at the University of Chieti-Pescara in San Valentino, Italy, divided 38 individuals into two groups. The first group consisted of 20 subjects who were given Mirtogenol, once in the morning and once in the evening for six months. Each Mirtogenol tablet contained 40 mg of Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract and 80 mg of Mirtoselect, standardized bilberry extract. The control group, consisting of 18 participants, were followed without treatment. The IOP was measured with the standard Goldmann applanation tonometer at the same time in the morning. Prior to testing, subjects had complete eye exams, ocular hypertension and no signs of glaucoma.
At the end of the testing, Mirtogenol lowered IOP in 19 of 20 patients versus one of the 18 patients in the control group. Throughout the study there was a total decrease of IOP from 25.2 mmHg to 22.0 mmHg in the Mirtogenol group (-13 percent) compared to 24.6 mmHG to 24.5 mmHG in the control group (-0.4 percent).
The pressure in the eyes builds up when the amount of oxygen and nutrient rich fluid brought into the eye exceeds the amount drained from it. The increased pressure is believed to progressively destroy the optic nerve with symptoms setting in with a blurred peripheral vision. Investigation of the eye’s arteries by color Doppler imaging suggest that Mirtogenol supports a better blood flow helping to restore an equilibrium of fluids in the eye.
“What’s interesting about these results is it reveals Mirtogenol may decrease the risk of developing glaucoma, an eye disease which is particularly dangerous because it can progress gradually and go unnoticed for years,” said Dr. Steigerwalt. “This is an age-related condition we have previously not been able to take preventative measures against.”