Scientists Examine Lutein’s Effect on Glare

New research indicates that the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin may help our vision when we have difficulty seeing due to the glare encountered in very bright light¹.  These two carotenoids have been shown to slow down the progression of moderate to advanced agerelated macular degeneration in the AREDS trial.  But in this new study, lutein and zeaxanthin appear to improve visual function even in healthy people with normal vision.

Researchers from the University of Georgia recruited 40 healthy young people (average age of about 24 years), and examined their reaction to glare. Glare is commonly encountered in bright sunlight, when staring at a computer monitor, and when facing the bright beams of oncoming headlights.  The investigators determined lutein and zeaxanthin’s effects on glare by studying how the carotenoids affected macular pigment density. The eye’s maculas made up of lutein and zeaxanthin, which help filter out certain damaging light waves. When the concentration of these carotenoids in the macula is higher, the macula is better able to absorb these light waves. Taking lutein and zeaxanthin increased the density of macular pigment significantly after six months of supplementation.

When the study volunteers performed visual tasks following exposure to glare, lutein and zeaxanthin supplements significantly reduced the damaging effects of the exposure for both of the visual performance tasks that were measured. 

Improved Visual Performance under Glare

The researchers concluded, “Four to six months of 12 mg daily lutein plus zeaxanthin supplementation significantly increases macular pigment density and improves visual performance in glare for most subjects.”



^{References:
1 Stringham JM, Hammond BR. Macular pigment and visual performance under glare conditions. Optometry Vision Science 85:82-8, 2008.}