In Brief

Dietary lutein and zeaxanthin may slow macular degeneration

People whose diets are rich in two substances commonly found in fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a study published in the September 2007 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology. Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids, the substances that give fruits and vegetables their deep green, yellow, and orange colors. Both are also found in high concentrations in the macula, the area of the retina that gives us the sharp eyesight we need to read, drive, and recognize faces. AMD occurs when cells in the macula break down. Lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to slow the progression of AMD by helping shield the macula from oxidative damage caused by short wavelengths of light.