Effects of lutein supplementation in age-related macular degeneration

PLoS ONE
Q1
Dec 2019
Citations:53
Influential Citations:3
Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses
90
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Enhanced Details

Methods
Nine prospective randomized controlled trials in patients with AMD; total 855 participants (920 eyes); age and gender not reported.
Intervention
Lutein supplementation: 10 mg/day or 20 mg/day, taken orally, duration varied across trials (roughly 3 months to 2 years).
Results
Lutein at 10 or 20 mg/day increased MPOD (MD 0.07; 95% CI 0.03–0.10). Visual acuity improved (MD 0.28; 95% CI 0.06–0.50). Contrast sensitivity improved (MD 0.26; 95% CI 0.22–0.30). Serum lutein increased (MD 1.10; 95% CI 0.54–1.67). Dose- and duration-dependent effects: 10 mg/day increased MPOD after >1 year (MD 0.06; 95% CI 0.03–0.10) but not before 6 months (MD 0.02; 95% CI -0.01 to 0.04). 20 mg/day increased MPOD after <6 months (MD 0.05; 95% CI 0.01–0.08) and after >1 year (MD 0.05; 95% CI 0.02–0.08). Conclusion: Dietary lutein at 10 or 20 mg/day for more than 6 months can significantly improve MPOD and visual acuity in AMD; higher dose may yield faster MPOD increases.
Limitations
Heterogeneity due to co-supplementation with other antioxidants in several trials; AMD stage varied (mostly dry, one wet); MPOD measurement methods varied across studies; follow-up durations ranged from 3 months to 2 years; long-term effects beyond the studied period and genetic factors were not fully assessed.

Abstract

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of lutein supplementation on macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in randomized controlled trials involving patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A comprehensive search o...