What do studies say about the longevity of saffron's eye health improvements?

Studies show that saffron’s improvements in eye health, especially in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), persist as long as supplementation continues and tend to plateau after several months; benefits are maintained with ongoing treatment but decline within weeks to months after stopping.

Long-Term Supplementation Effects

• Clinical trials indicate improvements in retinal function, visual acuity, and light sensitivity are observed within 3 months and extend for at least 12–14 months with daily supplementation (20–30 mg).

• After the initial few months, visual acuity can continue to slowly improve or stabilize for over a year, as long as supplementation is ongoing. PMID: 38485112

What Happens After Stopping

• Studies demonstrate that stopping saffron leads to gradual loss of benefits, with retinal function and visual acuity returning to pre-supplementation baseline within a few months.

• Saffron does not reverse permanent damage; it slows progression and stabilizes at-risk photoreceptors, which requires ongoing use for preservation.

Key Findings

• Saffron supplementation preserves retinal cell function and provides stability in early-stage AMD, but continuous intake is recommended for sustained benefits.

• No evidence shows long-lasting improvements after discontinuation—chronic conditions like AMD require uninterrupted intervention.PMID: 38485112