Lutein improves visual function in some patients with retinal degeneration: a pilot study via the Internet.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to examine the effects of lutein supplementation on visual acuity, central visual-field area, and subjective visual disturbances in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and related retinal degenerations, in an international study population recruited via an Internet mailing list.


METHODS
Sixteen participants (13 with RP, three with other retinal degenerations) completed a 26-week program of lutein supplementation (40 mg/day for 9 weeks, 20 mg/day thereafter); 10 participants also took 500-mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/day, vitamin B complex, and digestive enzymes. Ten participants previously taking vitamin A and/or beta-carotene continued those supplements throughout the study. Participants self-tested their visual acuity on their computer screen and their central visual-field extent on a wall chart, weekly for 14 weeks, bi-weekly thereafter.


RESULTS
Mean visual acuity improved by 0.7 dB and mean visual-field area by 0.35 dB. Improvements started 2 to 4 weeks after supplementation began, and plateaued at 6 to 14 weeks. Visual acuity gains were strongly correlated with eye color: 1.2 dB in seven blue-eyed participants, but 0.3 dB in seven dark-eyed participants. Participants who received previous supplements showed greater benefits in central visual-field area (0.55 dB) than those not receiving previous supplements (no change). No significant effects of age, sex, disease stage, or study supplement were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term vision improvements after lutein supplementation--previously reported in age-related macular degeneration--also occur in RP, especially in blue-eyed individuals; vitamin A may increase visual field benefits.
Dagnelie
G
G
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Zorge
I S
IS
McDonald
T M
TM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects*; D014794:Visual Fields; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014815:Vitamins; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D014975:Lutein