Effect of Different Doses of Lutein and Zeaxanthin on Macular Pigment Optical Density

ABSTRACT
Aim: To evaluate the effects of two different doses of lutein and zeaxanthin on macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in healthy subjects using heterochromatic flicker photometer (MPS II) method.
Materials and Methods: 20 right eyes of 20 healthy subjects were included in the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups with equal numbers. Group 1 received 5 mg lutein and 1 mg zeaxanthin supplements, while Group 2 received 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin supplements. MPOD values before and 1 month after supplementation were compared in Group 1 and Group 2 subjects.
Results: The mean age was 34.0±6.9 years in group 1 and 33.4±6.8 years in group 2. The mean MPOD values of the right eyes of the subjects in group 1 before and 1 month after supplement treatment were 0.41±0.09 and 0.41±0.10, respectively. The mean MPOD values of the left eyes of the subjects in group 1 before and 1 month after supplement treatment were 0.44±0.14 and 0.42±0.12, respectively. The mean MPOD values of the right eyes of the subjects in group 2 before and 1 month after supplement treatment were 0.39±0.10 and 0.37±0.11, respectively. The mean MPOD values of the left eyes of the subjects in group 2 before and 1 month after supplement treatment were 0.41±0.12 and 0.39±0.11, respectively. The values were not statistically significant (p>0.05).
Conclusion: In healthy subjects, 5 mg lutein and 1 mg zeaxanthin supplementation (Group 1) and 10 mg lutein and 2 mg zeaxanthin supplementation (Group 2) had no statistically significant effect on MPOD at 1 month.
Keywords: Hetereochromatic flicker photometer, lutein, macular pigment optical density, zeaxanthin