Effect of lutein and antioxidant dietary supplementation on contrast sensitivity in age-related macular disease: a randomized controlled trial

Prospective, double-masked randomized controlled trial conducted at Aston University and a UK optometric clinical practice; ARM/atrophic AMD participants, aged 55–82 years (mean 69.2 ± 7.8); 53% female; White British; randomised to placebo (n=10) or active (n=15); nine-month follow-up; per-protocol analysis.

6 mg lutein esters plus retinol 750 μg, vitamin C 250 mg, vitamin E 34 mg, zinc 10 mg, copper 0.5 mg; taken as one tablet daily with food; duration nine months.

Over nine months, contrast sensitivity changed by +0.07 ± 0.07 log units in placebo and −0.02 ± 0.18 log units in the lutein group; difference not statistically significant (p ≈ 0.37). Conclusion: 6 mg lutein with antioxidants did not improve contrast sensitivity in ARM/atrophic AMD; optimum lutein dosage requires further study.

Small sample size and nine-month duration; per-protocol analysis; multi-nutrient formulation limits attribution to a single nutrient; lutein esters may have limited bioavailability; single-ethnicity (White British) limits generalizability; baseline dietary differences (vitamin C intake) between groups; zinc intake change in the active group.