What is lutein?
Lutein is a carotenoid, specifically a xanthophylls, usually found in green vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli, corn, kiwi, grapes, orange pepper, squash, and zucchini. It can also be found in animal fats and egg yolk.
Benefits of lutein
Lutein is found in the macula, this is part of the retina that processes central vision. It works by acting as a light filter shielding the eyes from damage from sunlight. It also works as an antioxidant which helps promote healthy eye cells.
Lutein is also proven to help treat the following eye conditions:
Age – Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Macular degeneration is an eye condition that starts with the retina’s deterioration. This vision loss symptom usually happens after the age of 60 and mostly related to aging problems.
Lutein helps in preventing macular degeneration by stopping oxidative damage in the retina.
Cataracts
Cataracts are described as the hazy areas in the lens of the eye. People suffering from cataracts experience cloudy vision and glare sensitivity.
Common causes of cataracts are the following;
- Toxins – harmful chemicals from smoking and prescription drugs
- Free radicals – chemicals that produce oxidation which then ages the body.
- Injury to the spine or neck – trauma in these areas can impair the vision
- Diabetes – high blood sugar accelerates cataract buildup in the eye
Lutein helps in lowering the risk of cataract by slowing the aging process of the eye
Retinitis Pigmentosa
This is a degenerative disease usually passed on to the genes. It causes acute vision disability and sometimes blindness.
Symptoms of Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Night blindness
- Vision blurriness
- Sensitivity to glare
- Tunnel Vision
- Lack of Central Vision
- Poor color attention
- Extreme Fatigue
- Latticework Vision
Lutein works by slowing down the progression of the disease.
Supplements for lutein
Here’s a list of popular lutein supplements
- Alcon’s ICaps Eye Vitamin Lutein and Zeaxanthin Formula
- MedOp’s Maxivision Ocular Formula
- Zeavision’s EyePromise Zeaxanthin
- Biosyntrix’s Macula Complete
- Bausch’s PreserVision
- TwinLab’s Ocugard
- ScienceBased Health’s MacularProtect Complete
People’s experience with lutein
Andrea Polk from Amazon reviews tried Bausch & Lomb Lutein Supplement and noticed improvement in visual acuity within just the first week and it also abated the burning sensation in the eye.
Helmer Semjonovs from Amazon reviews also took lutein supplements because of cloudiness in his vision. The doctor advised that it cannot be cured because of his age and just learn to live with it. One week after using lutein and it removed the cloudiness in his eyesight.
Dalesylvia Mcelroy from Amazon reviews cannot drive at night for 20 years because of glare sensitivity. She is able to drive at night now after taking lutein supplements for several months. Also glare is no longer a problem for her.
R.Gardner from Amazon reviews had dry eyes symptoms for 4 years and recently after taking lutein supplements for a month, the occurrence with dry eyes did not happen again.
Although it is not exactly conclusive that taking lutein will cure your eyesight problems, it is a great start to help your eyesight get to a better condition.
