New findings published in Optometry and Vision Science on February 1st 2008 indicate that lutein and zeaxanthin play a wider role than was previously thought in improving human eyesight. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two dietary carotenoids which accumulate in the ‘yellow spot’ or macula lutea of the retina. Until recently, higher levels of these carotenoids in the retina were associated exclusively with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration. The new findings suggest that they can also improve the vision of people with healthy eyes.
