title: Ginkgo biloba extract and bilberry anthocyanins improve visual function in patients with normal tension glaucoma.
abstract: Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) and anthocyanins are considered beneficial for various vascular diseases. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of GBE and anthocyanins on visual function in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) based on the vascular theory of mechanisms of glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Retrospective analysis was carried out by a chart review of 332 subjects (209 men and 123 women) who were treated with anthocyanins (n=132), GBE (n=103), or no medication (control, n=97). Humphrey Visual Field (HVF) test, logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR BCVA), intraocular pressure, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose were determined before and after treatment. Complete ocular and systemic examinations were performed. The mean follow-up duration was 23.82±9.84 (range, 12-59) months; the mean anthocyanin treatment duration was 24.32±10.43 (range, 6-53) months, and the mean GBE treatment duration was 23.81±10.36 months (range, 6-59) months. After anthocyanin treatment, the mean BCVA for all eyes improved from 0.16 (±0.34) to 0.11 (±0.18) logMAR units (P=.008), and HVF mean deviation improved from -6.44 (±7.05) to -5.34 (±6.42) (P=.001). After GBE treatment, HVF mean deviation improved from -5.25 (±6.13) to -4.31 (±5.60) (P=.002). A generalized linear model demonstrated that the final BCVA was not affected by demographic differences among the groups. These results suggest that anthocyanins and GBE may be helpful in improving visual function in some individuals with NTG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Joon Mo
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chul Young
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chan Yun
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ki Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D057066:Low Tension Glaucoma / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D029800:Vaccinium myrtillus / Q000737:chemistry*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; C073305:Vaccinium myrtillus extract