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Review
. 2020 Jun 9;12(6):1721.
doi: 10.3390/nu12061721.

Lutein Supplementation for Eye Diseases

Long Hin Li  1 , Jetty Chung-Yung Lee  2 , Ho Hang Leung  2 , Wai Ching Lam  1 , Zhongjie Fu  3   4 , Amy Cheuk Yin Lo  1
Affiliations
Review

Lutein Supplementation for Eye Diseases

Long Hin Li et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Lutein is one of the few xanthophyll carotenoids that is found in high concentration in the macula of human retina. As de novo synthesis of lutein within the human body is impossible, lutein can only be obtained from diet. It is a natural substance abundant in egg yolk and dark green leafy vegetables. Many basic and clinical studies have reported lutein's anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in the eye, suggesting its beneficial effects on protection and alleviation of ocular diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, myopia, and cataract. Most importantly, lutein is categorized as Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS), posing minimal side-effects upon long term consumption. In this review, we will discuss the chemical structure and properties of lutein as well as its application and safety as a nutritional supplement. Finally, the effects of lutein consumption on the aforementioned eye diseases will be reviewed.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; antioxidant; carotenoid; cataract; diabetic retinopathy; myopia; nutrition; retina; retinopathy of prematurity; xanthophyll.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure of lutein [29].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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