The effect of lutein and antioxidant dietary supplementation on contrast sensitivity in age-related macular disease

摘要

There is interest in the use of nutritional supplementation as a prevention and treatment strategy for age-related macular disease as later stages of the condition are the leading cause of visual disability in the developed world. Lutein and its isomers are of particular interest because they are selectively absorbed at the macula, and may protect the macula via photoprotective and antioxidant mechanisms. Contrast sensitivity is a useful real-world measure of visual function. This review identified two randomised controlled trials that investigated the effect of lutein and antioxidant supplementation on contrast sensitivity in people with age-related macular disease. No effect was found in people with earlier stages of the condition. However, subgroup analysis on a small cohort with later stages of the disease did show a positive effect in one of the trials.