Lutein in combination with vitamin A may slow vision loss

A daily supplement of lutein plus vitamin A may slow vision loss associated with retinitis pigmentosa,according toa new study.

In the randomized controlled trial, 225 non-smokers with retinitis pigmentosa aged between 18 and 60 were randomly assigned to receive vitamin A only (15,000 IU, retinyl palmitate) or vitamin A plus lutein (12 mg per day) for four years (1). While no significant effect was observedin the overall decline in vision between the two groups, a significant reduction in the rate of vision loss in the mid-peripheral region was observed. No toxicity concerns were recorded during the study.

Rentinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited eye diseasesthat causethe degeneration of photoreceptor cells in the retina andlead toprogressive vision lossin approximately one in 4,000 people worldwide. Previous studies had found that taking vitamin A slows the decline in retinal function and vision loss.

1. Berson E.L. et al. Clinical Trial of Lutein in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa Receiving Vitamin A. Archives of Ophthalmology. 2010; 128(4):403–411.