title: Sustained supplementation and monitored response with differing carotenoid formulations in early age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the impact of sustained supplementation using different macular carotenoid formulations on macular pigment (MP) and visual function in early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-seven subjects with early AMD were randomly assigned to: Group 1 (20 mg per day lutein (L), 0.86 mg per day zeaxanthin (Z); Ultra Lutein), Group 2 (10 mg per day meso-zeaxanthin (MZ), 10 mg per day L, 2 mg per day Z; Macushield; Macuhealth), Group 3 (17 mg per day MZ, 3 mg per day L, 2 mg per day Z). MP was measured using customised heterochromatic flicker photometry and visual function was assessed by measuring contrast sensitivity (CS) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). AMD was graded using the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System (AREDS 11-step severity scale).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 3 years, a significant increase in MP from baseline was observed in all groups at each eccentricity (P<0.05), except at 1.75° in Group 1 (P=0.160). Between 24 and 36 months, significant increases in MP at each eccentricity were seen in Group 3 (P<0.05 for all), and at 0.50° in Group 2 (P<0.05), whereas no significant increases were seen in Group 1 (P>0.05 for all). At 36 months, compared with baseline, the following significant improvements (P<0.05) in CS were observed: Group 2-1.2, 6, and 9.6 cycles per degree (c.p.d.); Group 1-15.15 c.p.d.; and Group 3-6, 9.6, and 15.15 c.p.d. No significant changes in BCVA, or progression to advanced AMD, were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In early AMD, MP can be augmented with a variety of supplements, although the inclusion of MZ may confer benefits in terms of panprofile augmentation and in terms of CS enhancement.
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Akuffo
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.affiliation: Howard Foundation, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: R
authors.identifier: 0000000305015431
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stack
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Meuer
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabour-Pickett
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland, Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK.
authors.forename: D I
authors.identifier: 0000000192891370
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Thurnham
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beatty
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004339:Drug Compounding; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000097:blood*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D065348:Macular Pigment / Q000097:blood*; D010783:Photometry / Q000379:methods; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D065146:Zeaxanthins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D065348:Macular Pigment; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D002338:Carotenoids; C584722:meso-zeaxanthin; D014975:Lutein