Pine Bark Extract shows promise for diabetic retinopathy

Recent studies published in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics showed improved blood flow of blood in the tiny blood vessels of the retina, and enhanced sight in diabetics with early stage eye problems. The pine bark extract, pycnogenol was given to 46 diabetics in a randomised controlled study in which visual acuity, or the clearness of vision, was found to improve from 14/20 to 17/20. “Our study suggests that pycnogenol taken in early stages of retinopathy……favourably improves vision of patients,” said the lead researchewr, Dr. Robert Steigerwalt. In the U.S., there are almost 24 million people with diabetes, equal to 8 percent of the population. It is estimated that up to 45% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes already have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. Pycnogenol benefits in many areas of health, including its antioxidants potential, have been known for 35 years.