01.01.03
Indication: Vision loss
Source: Ophthalmology, 2002;109:1780-1787.
Research: The study was based on the hypothesis that the levels of lutein in the eyes of people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) would be lower than the levels of lutein found in the normal, healthy eyes of elderly people without AMD. For the first time, researchers were able to use objective, non-invasive technology to measure lutein and zeaxanthin levels in the eyes of living people in a large-scale clinical study. Researchers measured macular carotenoid levels in 93 eyes from 63 patients with AMD and in 220 normal eyes from 138 volunteers. The macula was illuminated with a low-power argon laser spot for less than a second and measured backscattered light using a Raman spectrograph to determine macular levels of lutein and zeaxanthin with high sensitivity specifically.
Results: Researchers found that macular carotenoid levels decline with age, reaching a stable low level after age 60, the age when AMD incidence begins to rise dramatically. They also found that macular pigment levels in the eyes of AMD patients not consuming high-dose lutein supplements are 32% lower than elderly normal eyes.
Source: Ophthalmology, 2002;109:1780-1787.
Research: The study was based on the hypothesis that the levels of lutein in the eyes of people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) would be lower than the levels of lutein found in the normal, healthy eyes of elderly people without AMD. For the first time, researchers were able to use objective, non-invasive technology to measure lutein and zeaxanthin levels in the eyes of living people in a large-scale clinical study. Researchers measured macular carotenoid levels in 93 eyes from 63 patients with AMD and in 220 normal eyes from 138 volunteers. The macula was illuminated with a low-power argon laser spot for less than a second and measured backscattered light using a Raman spectrograph to determine macular levels of lutein and zeaxanthin with high sensitivity specifically.
Results: Researchers found that macular carotenoid levels decline with age, reaching a stable low level after age 60, the age when AMD incidence begins to rise dramatically. They also found that macular pigment levels in the eyes of AMD patients not consuming high-dose lutein supplements are 32% lower than elderly normal eyes.