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Effects of Lutein Supplementation on Macular Pigment Optical Density and Visual Acuity in Patients With Age-related Macular Degeneration

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: placebo
Dietary Supplement: lutamax (leutein)
Registration Number
NCT00879671
Lead Sponsor
Medical University of Vienna
Brief Summary

The macular pigment (MP) in humans consists of the yellow, blue-absorbing carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. The highest concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the fovea. Since light entering the eye passes through the MP before reaching the photo receptors it absorbs a significant portion of short-wavelength light. There is evidence that this absorbing properties of the MP as well as the ability of inactivating highly reactive oxygen species are protective for the retina.

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness among developed countries. The pathogenesis of this disease remains unknown. There is, however, evidence that low fruit and vegetable consumption increases the risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Accordingly, it has been hypothesized that lutein supplementation may be beneficial in AMD. The present study investigates whether 6 months lutein supplementation increases MP optical density (OD), influences visual acuity, depth and dimension of central scotoma and alters symptoms in patients with AMD.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
126
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients with nonexudative AMD (either categories 2, 3 or 4 according to the AREDS criteria; in group 4 the eyes with no-advanced AMD will be included, Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group 2001)
  • Age between 50 and 90 years
  • Clear non-lenticular ocular media
  • Visual acuity > 0.4
Exclusion Criteria
  • Primary retinal pigment epithelium atrophy > 125 µm
  • Moderate or severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, proliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • Participation in a clinical trial in the 3 weeks preceding the study
  • Previous treatment with lutein within 3 month of study initiation
  • History of hypersensitivity to the trial drug or to drugs with a similar chemical structure
  • History or presence of gastrointestinal, liver or kidney disease, or other conditions known to interfere with, distribution, metabolism or excretion of study drugs
  • Ocular surgery within the last 6 months
  • Treatment with photosensitizing drugs

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
2placeboPlacebo
1lutamax (leutein)Lutamax
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) as measured with optical reflectometry5 minutes
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Determination of an increased systemic antioxidative state in plasma and low density lipoprotein and Plasma lutein concentrations5 minutes
Changes in fundus appearance as documented with fundus photos5 minutes
Visual acuity using ETDRS charts15 minutes
Central visual field defects assessed with scanning laser scotometry30 minutes

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna

🇦🇹

Vienna, Austria

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