January 14, 2003
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Lutein improved vision in people with age-related cataracts: study

MADRID — Lutein supplementation improved the visual function of people with age-related cataracts in a small, long-term study.

Researchers here at Clínica Puerta de Hierro randomized 17 patients with age-related cataract to receive either 15 mg of lutein (five patients), 100 mg of a-tocopherol (six patients) or placebo (six patients) three times a week for up to 2 years.

Serum concentrations of lutein and a-tocopherol increased with supplementation, although statistical significance was reached only in the lutein group. Visual performance improved in the lutein group; the a-tocopherol group maintained visual acuity and visual acuity decreased in the placebo group.

The study is published in the January issue of Nutrition.