Bilberry turns up in almost every eye supplement, usually with a good story attached. It's worth knowing which part of that story is history, which is folklore, and what bilberry actually is — so you can judge a formula on its merits.
This is part of our guide to choosing an eye-health supplement.
The WWII pilot story
The famous tale: RAF pilots in the Second World War ate bilberry jam and found their night vision improved, giving them an edge on evening raids. It's a lovely story, it's repeated everywhere — and it appears to be wartime myth. The most likely explanation is that it was misinformation, possibly even deliberate cover for the real reason British pilots were spotting enemy aircraft in the dark: newly developed onboard radar, which the RAF had every reason to keep quiet.
We mention it because you'll see it used to sell bilberry, and it's worth knowing it rests on a story rather than a study. The honest case for bilberry doesn't need it.
What bilberry actually is
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a small, dark blue-purple berry that grows wild across northern Europe — a close cousin of the blueberry, but not the same thing. The key difference is on the inside: cut a bilberry open and it's deep purple all the way through, whereas a cultivated blueberry is pale-fleshed. That colour is the point.
Bilberry is unusually rich in anthocyanins — the deep purple plant pigments, a type of antioxidant compound. That high anthocyanin content is why bilberry, rather than the milder blueberry, is the berry traditionally chosen for eye formulas.
Where the evidence stands — honestly
Here's the straight version. In Great Britain, bilberry has no authorised health claim. There is published research on bilberry anthocyanins, and it's an active area of interest — but it's a mix of small studies, and it isn't the same as an authorised claim. No UK seller may lawfully tell you bilberry will do something for your eyes, and we won't pretend the research settles the question.
What we can say plainly: bilberry is a traditional, anthocyanin-rich botanical with a long association with eye formulas, and a genuine body of ongoing research you're free to read and weigh. That's an honest reason to value it in a blend — and it doesn't need a wartime legend to stand up.
Why pine bark keeps it company
You'll often see pine bark extract listed alongside bilberry, and for a related reason. Pine bark is a rich source of proanthocyanidins — another family of plant antioxidants, cousins of the anthocyanins in bilberry. The two are frequently paired in eye formulas as complementary plant antioxidants. Like bilberry, pine bark carries no authorised claim, so the same honesty applies: it's a well-studied botanical, named for what it is, not sold on a promise.
Our formula, honestly
Our Better Eyes Complex includes 550mg of bilberry fruit and 1250mg of pine bark extract — both recognised eye botanicals, at generous amounts — alongside the macular carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin and a full antioxidant spread of vitamins and minerals. Zinc is included at 50% of your daily reference intake, so the formula genuinely contributes to the maintenance of normal vision — the one authorised vision claim.
Read next: what lutein and zeaxanthin are, or the full buyer's guide. Or browse our antioxidant range.
Always read the label. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. This article is general information, not medical advice. This product should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and if you take any medication, unless advised by a medical practitioner.
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