Zeaxanthin and the Macula

Zeaxanthin's role is to help protect the eye from the harmful high-energy, blue-wave light in the same way good quality sunglasses protect our eyes from the sun’s harmful glare. Importantly, Zeaxanthin not also protects the eye's vision cells but helps the eye repair itself. Studies have shown that macula with the highest concentration of Zeaxanthin is the last to degenerate.

Reversing Macular Degeneration

In faulty or aging digestive tracts, the amount of Zeaxanthin decreases. Less able to absorb light and less able to repair itself, the macula steadily loses function. The degeneration process can go undetected for months, even years. This is why supplementing our diets with sublingual Zeaxanthin is so important.

Loss of Zeaxanthin is believed to be a factor in both types of macular degeneration — "dry", which represents 90% of all cases, and "wet", the remaining 10%. Until recently, the care options for those suffering from macular degeneration were virtually non-existent.

"Dry" macular degeneration is less severe in the early stages. It cannot be reversed or halted with surgery. It can develop into the "wet" form where small blood vessels grow underneath the macula, and leak fluid. This can be treated with a laser. In a procedure called Photodynamic Therapy (PDT.) This generally takes multiple treatments over a number of months. There is also no guarantee that PDT will stop continued vessel growth.

Studies 

Gale Study

Trial: As part of a comprehensive health study, the relationship between Zeaxanthin and Lutein concentration in blood plasma in people with AMD was examined.

Lead Scientist: Gale, 2003

Conclusion: People with high levels of Zeaxanthin had two times less incidence of AMD compared with participants with low levels. The relationship for Lutein was not shown.  

Summary of Key Human Studies in Progress:

Seddon Epidemiology Study

Trial: AMD Progression Trial. Part of a large epidemiological trial looking into a variety of risk factors for AMD. The researcher will evaluate approximately 281 known AMD sufferers to evaluate Zeaxanthin blood serum content versus Lutein.

Lead Scientist:  Seddon

Conclusion: To discover whether Zeaxanthin levels in blood serum directly relate to the progression rates of AMD – high levels, slow progression, etc.

Completion Date: Projected for AAO Conference, October 2005.

Photophobia Trial

Trial: Evaluation of Zeaxanthin supplementation for reducing photosensitivity and light phobia.

Lead Scientist: Richer, et al.

Conclusion: To discover whether Zeaxanthin supplementation can increase the photoprotection of light-phobic adults.

Completion Date: Early 2006

Primate Study

Trial: Primate studies of Zeaxanthin and Lutein supplementation (Previous study in the 1980’s showed that when colour additive ingredients were removed from primate feed, they experienced AMD symptoms.)

Lead Scientist:  Snodderly, 2004 and 2005 (publication in progress)

Conclusion:

1. Zeaxanthin and Lutein depletion in diet leads to two times the speed of drusen/lipofuscin accumulation relative to the advanced age of the animal.

2. Zeaxanthin and lutein supplementation will deposit in the retina with set areas of concentration: Zeaxanthin in the center of the macula, lutein in the periphery.

3. Animals with very low levels of macular pigment can rebuild with Zeaxanthin and lutein supplementation.

4. Zeaxanthin in the center of the macula and a portion of lutein converts to meso-Zeaxanthin.

5. Zeaxanthin’s retinal capture efficiency is greater than Lutein, with lutein being deposited in fat and in the liver.

6. Zeaxanthin is more photo-protective from the effects of blue light than lutein.