Lutien

Indication: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Source: J Am Opt Assn, April 2004;75(4):216-230.

Research: A prospective 12-month, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at an urban midwestern veterans administration hospital from August 1999 to May 2001. Ninety patients with atrophic AMD were referred by ophthalmologists at two Chicago-area veterans medical facilities. Patients in Group I received 10 mg of FloraGLO® lutein ; Group II received a lutein 10 mg/antioxidants/vitamins/minerals broad spectrum supplementation formula and Group III subjects received a placebo of maltodextrin for over 12 months.

Results: Patients ingesting the lutein alone or in combination with other nutrients experienced significant im­provements in several objective measurements of visual function, including glare recovery, contrast sensitivity and visual acuity, versus placebo. Patients also experienced a 50% increase in macular pigment density relative to those on placebo. Researchers said this study creates an imperative for larger and longer studies of lutein and antioxidant nutritional therapies as an intervention for AMD.