Does Crocus sativus (Saffron) Have an Influence or Effect on Ocular Health: A Systematic Literature Review
In brief
Oral saffron shows consistent visual improvements across ten eye-disease trials
5 mg respectively) given for 6 weeks to 12 months improved visual acuity, retinal function or macular thickness in conditions ranging from age-related macular degeneration to pediatric myopia, with no safety concerns reported. While the results are promising as an adjunct therapy, larger trials are needed to define optimal dosing for each disorder.
- Journal
- Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 13 August 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Sonia Ferrara, Janet Schloss
- PMID
- 42594967
- DOI
- 10.1177/2515690X261478846
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (top studies of the week, 16 August 2026): Saffron ocular health, not pain/symptom control
- Picked for Ophthalmology (top studies of the week, 16 August 2026): Systematic review of saffron in AMD, glaucoma, DME
Abstract
BackgroundCrocus sativus (Saffron) and its bioactive constituents, crocin and crocetin have gained attention for their neuroprotective and antioxidant properties in ocular health. This review synthesises clinical evidence from extracted studies evaluating their efficacy, safety and dosing across Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG), Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR), Stargardt Disease (STGD1) and Paediatric Myopia (PM).MethodologyA systematic literature review was undertaken assessing randomized trials, observational or cohort studies, case studies or series written in English between January 2015 to January 2025. Studies were identified using PubMed, AMED, CINHAL, ScienceDirect and Scopus as well as the grey literature.ResultsTen clinical trials were identified from 529 citations. Interventions involved oral supplementation of saffron (20-50mg/day), crocin (5-15mg/day) and crocetin (7.5mg/day) over durations ranging from 6 weeks to 12 months. Primary outcomes included visual acuity, retinal electrophysiology, intra-ocular pressure, macular thickness, and safety profiles.ConclusionSaffron, crocin and crocetin, demonstrate consistent efficacy and exceptional safety profiles across a range of ocular conditions. Saffron's dose-dependent therapeutic effects are a promising adjunctive therapy in ophthalmology. Further large-scale trials are warranted to confirm these findings and refine condition specific dosing.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.