Key takeaways
- A popular story says RAF pilots ate bilberry jam in the Second World War to improve their night vision.
- The well-documented wartime myth is about carrots, and it's widely linked to propaganda that hid the use of radar.
- A systematic review of controlled trials found no good evidence that bilberry improves night vision in healthy people.
- If night driving is getting harder, see an optometrist. It's often something simple and fixable.
In this guide
Where the bilberry and RAF story comes from
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a small European berry, a wild relative of the blueberry. Supplement marketing often repeats a story that British pilots ate bilberry jam before night missions and saw better as a result.
It's a memorable tale, but it's hard to trace to any wartime record.
The better-known version is about carrots. During the Blitz, British newspapers credited RAF night-fighter pilots' success to eating carrots. Historians widely link this to wartime messaging that drew attention away from the new airborne radar. The bilberry version appears to have grown from the same idea.
What the controlled trials found
Researchers took the claim seriously enough to test it. A systematic review in Survey of Ophthalmology (Canter and Ernst, 2004) looked at placebo-controlled trials of bilberry and night vision in healthy people.
The more rigorous trials found no meaningful effect. The positive results came mainly from smaller, less well-designed studies.
| Claim | What the evidence says |
|---|---|
| Bilberry sharpens night vision | Not supported by the better-quality trials |
| Carrots let you see in the dark | Only if you're short of vitamin A, which is rare in the UK |
| Bilberry is rich in anthocyanins | True: that's what gives it its deep colour |
So why is bilberry still in eye formulas?
Bilberry has a long history of traditional use, and it's a rich source of anthocyanin pigments. That's why many eye formulas include it.
But traditional use isn't the same as a proven effect, and botanicals like bilberry carry no authorised health claims in the UK. In a well-made formula, the approved claims come from the vitamins and minerals. For example, zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
Our guide to bilberry vs lutein explains how the two differ.
Struggling to see at night? Common causes
It's normal for night vision to get a little worse with age. But if driving in the dark has become noticeably harder, there's often a clear reason:
- An out-of-date glasses prescription, especially short-sightedness that's more noticeable in low light
- Cataracts, which can cause glare and halos around headlights
- Dirty or scratched windscreens and glasses, which make glare much worse
- Some eye conditions that need checking by a professional
Book an eye test if night driving feels unsafe, or if you notice sudden changes in your vision. NHS eye tests are free for many people, and for everyone in Scotland. Sudden loss of vision needs urgent help.
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Questions people ask
Did RAF pilots really eat bilberry jam?
The story is widely repeated, but it's hard to trace to wartime records. The documented wartime myth is about carrots.
Does bilberry help eyes at all?
It's a traditional botanical rich in anthocyanins, but there's no authorised health claim for bilberry, and trials haven't shown it improves night vision in healthy people.
Do carrots really help you see in the dark?
Carrots provide beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, but eating extra carrots won't improve vision if you already get enough.
What helps night vision when driving?
An up-to-date eye test, clean glasses and windscreen, and anti-glare advice from your optometrist make the biggest difference.
Is bilberry halal?
Bilberry is a fruit, so it's halal in itself. In a supplement, check the capsule and other ingredients, or choose a halal approved product.
Sources: Canter & Ernst 2004, Survey of Ophthalmology · NHS: free eye tests · GB NHC register
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have concerns about your eyesight, see an optometrist or your GP. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
