Articles about Eye Health and Disease 2004
 

Lutein Improves Visual Function in Macular Degeneration

(From Richer S, et al. Optometry. 2004;75(4):1-15)


Lutein improves visual function in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to the results of the randomized, double-masked Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial (LAST), published in the April issue of Optometry. "Low intake of lutein, the primary dietary carotenoid  pigment responsible for macula pigment optical density (MPOD) in primates, is a major risk factor for advanced AMD," write Stuart Richer, OD, PhD, from the VAMC Eye Clinic in North Chicago, Illinois, and colleagues.  The macula is the part of the retina which allows sharp central vision for reading, driving , and color vision.

In this prospective, 12-month trial, 90 patients with AMD were randomized to receive 10 mg lutein alone, 10 mg lutein plus antioxidants/vitamins and minerals, or placebo. In both lutein-treated groups, MPOD increased approximately 0.09 log units from baseline, and contrast sensitivity improved. Visual acuity improved 5.4 letters in the lutein-only group and 3.5 letters in the lutein/antioxidant group. The lutein-only group also had a net subjective improvement in Amsler grid, and the lutein/antioxidant group had a nearly significant improvement in glare recovery.

The placebo group had no significant changes in any parameter tested. Study limitations include mostly male subjects and lack of data on genetic mutations. "Lutein supplementation may be beneficial at all stages of AMD," the authors write. "Further studies with more patients of both genders are needed to determine the long-term effect of lutein alone or lutein together with a broad spectrum of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals on patients with atrophic AMD."

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