An exploratory study evaluating the effects of macular carotenoid supplementation in various retinal diseases

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of daily oral supplementation with Macushield (10 mg/d meso-zeaxanthin, 10 mg/d lutein, and 2 mg/d zeaxanthin) on eye health in patients with retinal diseases by assessing the macular pigment (MP) profile, the visual function, and the quality of life.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with various retinal diseases were supplemented daily and followed up for 6 months. The MP optical density was measured using the customized heterochromatic flicker photometry and dual-wavelength autofluorescence. Visual function was evaluated by assessing the change in best corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and glare sensitivity in mesopic and photopic conditions. Vision-related and general quality of life changes were determined using the National Eye Insititute- Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) and EuroQoL-5 dimension questionnaires.

Results: A statistically significant increase in the MP optical density was observed using the dual-wavelength autofluorescence (P=0.04) but not with the customized heterochromatic flicker photometry. Statistically significant (P<0.05) improvements in glare sensitivity in low and medium spatial frequencies were observed at 3 months and 6 months. Ceiling effects confounded other visual function tests and quality of life changes.

Conclusion: Supplementation with the three carotenoids enhances certain aspects of visual performance in retinal diseases.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; central serous retinopathy; diabetes; macular pigment optical density.

Figure 1

Averaged MPOD profiles in patients at baseline per retinal disease. Abbreviations: AMD, age-related macular degeneration; ARM, age-related maculopathy; CSR, central serous retinopathy; DR, diabetic retinopathy; MPOD, macular pigment optical density.

Figure 2

Averaged MPOD profiles in patients at 6 months post-supplementation per retinal disease. Abbreviations: AMD, age-related macular degeneration; ARM, age-related maculopathy; CSR, central serous retinopathy; DR, diabetic retinopathy; MPOD, macular pigment optical density.