By Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS, March 12, 2015, abstracted from “Changes following supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin in retinal function in eyes with early age-related macular degeneration: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial” in the March 2015 issue of the British Journal of Ophthalmology
Age-related macular degeneration is common and a leading cause of sight loss after age 50. More than 200,000 Americans lose vision from retinal degeneration annually [1], with three million cases expected over the next 20 years. It damages the macula, a small area near the retina’s centre that enables straight-ahead vision. It occurs mainly after 60, with risk factors including smoking, which doubles risk; race, with greater prevalence in white people; and family history [2].
A new study [3] suggests lutein and zeaxanthin may improve eye function in early AMD. It included 112 patients aged 62–76 with early age-related macular degeneration, reported as divided into four groups of 23 for two years:
Group 1 received 10 mg lutein daily.
Group 2 received 20 mg lutein daily.
Group 3 received 10 mg lutein plus 10 mg zeaxanthin daily.
Group 4 received placebo as controls.
Researchers measured optical density and retinal sensitivity.
After two years, the 10 mg and 20 mg lutein groups showed 36.1% greater optical density than controls, while the combination group showed an 18.2% increase.
For retinal sensitivity, controls averaged 10.3 decibels. Sensitivity was 29.8% higher in the 10 mg lutein group, 21.8% higher in the 20 mg group and 9.7% higher in the combination group after two years, but statistical significance was not achieved.
Unfortunately, original retinal-sensitivity levels for the groups were not obtained, so absolute increases or decreases could not be calculated.
The researchers explained that improving optical density matters because low density may be an AMD risk factor [4]. Increased retinal sensitivity follows directly from increased optical density [5,1].
The study suggests lutein and zeaxanthin supplements may increase optical density and improve visual function in early AMD, but their effect on optical density in AMD requires further investigation.
References:
[1] Parisi V, Tedeschi M, Gallinaro G, et al. Carotenoids and antioxidants in age-related maculopathy Italian study: multifocal electroretinogram modifications after 1 year. Ophthalmology 2008;115:324–33
[2] “Facts About Age-Related Macular Degeneration” posted on the National Eye Institute website
[3] Huang YM. Changes following supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin in retinal function in eyes with early age-related macular degeneration: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Br J Ophthalmol 2015 Mar;99(3):371-5. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2014-305503. Epub 2014 Sep 16
[4] Weigert G, Kaya S, Pemp B, et al. Effects of lutein supplementation on macular pigment optical density and visual acuity in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2011;52:8174–8
[5] Ma L, Dou HL, Huang YM, et al. Improvement of retinal function in early age-related macular degeneration after lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Ophthalmol2012;154:625–34