Healthy vision offers patients more than good eyesight; for many, their quality of life is greatly diminished if their vision is less than adequate. For example, needing help reading a menu or being nervous to drive at night can limit patients’ independence, but nutritional support can help maintain long- term eye health. Perhaps some of the most talked-about antioxidants necessary for healthy vision are zeaxanthin and lutein, but why all the excitement around these two nutrients?

What’s all the hype about Zeaxanthin and Lutein?

Zeaxanthin (pronounced zee-aZAN-thin)

Zeaxanthin is a member of a group of compounds known as carotenoids.1  In the Zeaxanthin and Visual Function (ZVF) Study, researchers refer to this carotenoid as a “superior antioxidant” because of its chemical structure.2  In the same study, authors remark that “the macula selectively places [zeaxanthin] in its foveal center where the greatest protection is needed, which is last to degenerate.” This means that zeaxanthin is responsible for protecting the crisp, clear central vision needed for reading, seeing faces, and other daily tasks. While this antioxidant can be found in orange peppers, corn, and spinach, many Americans do not consume enough of these foods in their diet. 

Lutein (pronounced LOO- teen)

Like zeaxanthin, lutein is also classified as a carotenoid. Accumulated by the retina in the peripheral aspect of the macula, this antioxidant protects peripheral vision and low-contrast visual acuity.2 Lutein can be found in dark, leafy greens like kale, spinach, broccoli, and collard greens. While most patients know that these foods are beneficial, Americans sadly have moved toward a diet lacking in leafy greens. 

Macular Pigment 

Zeaxanthin and lutein work together to protect the sensitive tissues in the retina and form what is called the xanthophyll macular pigment. Found in the center of the macula, this protective pigment works like internal sunglasses, filtering harmful wavelengths of light before they reach the photoreceptors. Healthy, or dense, macular pigment may improve visual functions such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, light sensitivity, and glare recovery. 

From Review of Optometry Online May 10, 2018.

Sources: 

1. Heiting, Gary. “Lutein and Zeaxanthin – Eye and Vision Benefits.” All About Vision, AAV Media, LLC., Dec. 2017, www.allaboutvision.com/nutrit ion/lutein.htm. 

2. Richer SP, Stiles W, Graham-Hoffman K, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zeaxanthin and visual function in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF) FDA IND #78, 973. Optometry. 2011 Nov;82(11):667-680.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.optm.2011.08.008. 

3. Herman JP, Kleiner-Goudey SJ, Davis RL (2017) Case Report of Dietary Supplements Improving Macular Pigment and Visual Function. Adv Oph thalmol Vis Syst 6(1): 00166. DOI: 10.15406/aovs.2017.06.00166. 

Can you identify this animal? If you guessed horse, you’re right!

As it turns out, eyelashes among the species evaluated have lashes that are always about one-third as long as the eye is wide.  Researchers say that this not by chance, but for a good reason.  Eyelashes of that length are an ideal design to prevent tear evaporation, thus protecting the eye from dryness and diverting airflow away from the eyes.  Lash length has secondary benefits of catching small particles in the air preventing them from landing on the surface of the eye.

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The key to maintaining excellent eye health is by preventing damage from ocular inflammation and dryness. Your eye doctor can recommend helpful advise on treating red, dry eyes, and keeping your contact lenses comfortable.  Single use daily disposable contact lenses in combination with eye drops for dry eye can get rid of, or at least control, most symptoms of irritation.

Other medical and alternative treatments are available.  Both drug and nondrug therapies can be very effective in treating fibromyalgia, and in fact, most experts believe that the best approach is to combine different types of therapies to work on different aspects of the disorder since different neurotransmitters systems are known to regulate our sleep, pain perception, mood, and alertness.

The nondrug treatments that have been shown to be the most helpful are education, exercise, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.  FibroGuide is a free program for people with fibromyalgia.  Other treatments that can be effective include yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, and many other complementary and alternative medicine therapies.

For current medical treatment, savvy primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants are in an ideal position to both identify and treat fibromyalgia.  Subspecialist doctors such as rheumatologists for musculoskeletal concerns, or neurologists if symptoms resemble multiple sclerosis, are other options in seeking medicinal treatment.

Article cited: Daniel J. Clauw, Philip J. Mease, Bret S. Stetka. Fibromyalgia: The Latest in Diagnosis and Care. Medscape. Sep 17, 2014.