Meso-zeaxanthin central to increasing macular pigment
A new study undertaken by the Macular Pigment Research Group and the Institute of Vision Research, Waterford, Ireland, has shown that appropriate dietary supplements containing the macular pigments can reduce the risk of a patient progressing from early to late stage AMD. A dietary pigment at the back of the eye known as macular pigment (believed to protect against AMD by filtering blue light and neutralising free radicals) is made up of three carotenoids, meso-zeaxanthin (MZ), zeaxanthin (Z) and lutein (L). A compelling body of evidence indicates that a lack of macular pigment increases a person’s risk of developing late stage AMD.
This was the first study to investigate the spatial profile of macular pigment optical density with all three macular carotenoids and to measure serum and macular responses to a macular carotenoid formulation throughout two subject groups, one with early AMD and the other with no eye condition. Results from this study lend support to the possibility that individuals lacking centrally located Macular Pigment require MZ to be provided in supplement form, as they may lack the capacity to convert L to MZ at the retina (as it has been shown that MZ is normally generated at the retina from L). Supplementing with MZ may have significant implications for patients with, or at risk of developing, AMD.
The findings of this study have been accepted for publication in April in a high impact peer-reviewed scientific journal (Current Eye Research). For more information or for a copy of this study, please contact Bondeye Optical on 0121 772 3888 or e-mail on sales@bondeyeoptical.co.uk