Enrichment of Macular Pigment Enhances Contrast Sensitivity in Subjects Free of Retinal Disease: Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials – Report 1

• Published in: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science Vol. 57; no. 7; p. 3429
• Main Authors: Nolan, John M., Power, Rebecca, Stringham, Jim, Dennison, Jessica, Stack, Jim, Kelly, David, Moran, Rachel, Akuffo, Kwadwo O., Corcoran, Laura, Beatty, Stephen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Contrast Sensitivity - drug effects; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Lutein - administration & dosage; Lutein - blood; Lutein - pharmacology; Macula Lutea - physiopathology; Macular Pigment - metabolism; Macular Pigment - physiology; Male; Middle Aged; Recovery of Function - drug effects; Stress, Psychological; Visual Acuity - drug effects; Zeaxanthins - administration & dosage; Zeaxanthins - blood; Zeaxanthins - pharmacology
• ISSN: 1552-5783; 1552-5783
• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-19520

The high-performance visual function associated with central vision is mediated by the macula (the central retina), which accumulates three diet-derived pigments (the carotenoids lutein [L], zeaxanthin [Z], and meso-zeaxanthin [MZ]). Our study sought to investigate the impact on visual function, including contrast sensitivity (CS), of supplementation with these naturally occurring carotenoids, in individuals with low retinal concentrations. Subjects consumed daily a formulation containing 10 mg L, 2 mg Z, and 10 mg MZ (active group; n = 53) or placebo (n = 52) for a period of 12 months. Study visits were at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Contrast sensitivity at 6 cycles per degree (cpd) was the primary outcome measure (POM). Secondary outcome measures included CS at other spatial frequencies, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), glare disability, photostress recovery, and light scatter. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was measured using dual-wavelength autofluorescence, and serum carotenoid concentrations were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Compared to placebo, statistically significant improvements from baseline CS were detected at 6 (P = 0.002) and 1.2 (P = 0.004) cpd in the active group. Additionally, improvements in CS were commensurate with the observed increases in retinal concentrations of these carotenoids (r = 0.342, P = 0.002 at 6 cpd). These results indicate that dietary fortification with the macular carotenoids can have meaningful effects on visual function.