Randomized Controlled Trial of LUtein as a Novel Neuroprotective Adjunctive Therapy to Improve Visual Outcome of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (LUNAR Study)

Retinal detachment is a major cause of blindness, particularly among contemporary Asian populations due to the high prevalence of myopia. Without timely treatment, retinal detachment invariably results in blindness. As the only effective treatment is surgery, much effort has been invested to enhancing surgical outcome of retinal detachment repair. Advances in new instrumentations, viewing systems and refined surgical techniques have all contributed to improved rate of retinal re-attachment (anatomical outcome). Nevertheless, successful re-attachment of the retina after surgery does not always restore vision (visual outcome), especially when retinal detachment involves the macula ("macula-off" retinal detachment). The reason for poor visual outcome is believed to be due to apoptosis of photoreceptors, which may occur early and rapidly after the onset of retinal detachment. Neuroprotection has therefore been considered a valid strategy to improve visual outcome of retinal detachment surgery. Lutein is a promising potent neuroprotective agent for the retina, and has been shown in preliminary clinical and laboratory studies that it could salvage photorecepters in retinal detachment. We hypothesize that oral intake of lutein soon after onset of retinal detachment could prevent photoreceptor neurons from dying and thus limit the loss of vision. To test such hypothesis, we propose to conduct a double-masked, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of lutein as an adjuvant therapy to improve visual outcome for surgical repair of primary rhematogenous retinal detachment involving the macula in Asian Singaporeans. The potential clinical and scientific significance of this trial is clear. It may provide first evidence that pharmacological neuroprotection can be used as an effective therapeutic modality in the clinical management of retinal detachment, and result in a paradigm shift in clinical practice, ultimately leading to better visual outcome and quality of life for patients undertaking surgical repair of retinal detachment.