A randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of lutein and antioxidant dietary supplementation on visual function in healthy eyes.
OBJECTIVE
It has been suggested that retinal lutein may improve visual acuity for images that are illuminated by white light. Our aim was to determine the effect of a lutein and antioxidant dietary supplement on visual function.


METHODS
A prospective, 9- and 18-month, double-masked randomised controlled trial. For the 9-month trial, 46 healthy participants were randomised (using a random number generator) to placebo (n=25) or active (n=21) groups. Twenty-nine of these subjects went on to complete 18 months of supplementation, 15 from the placebo group, and 14 from the active group. The active group supplemented daily with 6 mg lutein combined with vitamins and minerals. Outcome measures were distance and near visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and photostress recovery time. The study had 80% power at the 5% significance level for each outcome measure. Data were collected at baseline, 9, and 18 months.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between groups for any of the outcome measures over 9 or 18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no evidence of effect of 9 or 18 months of daily supplementation with a lutein-based nutritional supplement on visual function in this group of people with healthy eyes. ISRCTN78467674.
Bartlett
Hannah E
HE
Ophthalmic Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK. h.e.bartlett@aston.ac.uk
Eperjesi
Frank
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000975:Antioxidants; D014975:Lutein