From Supplements to Sight: Quantifying the Impact of Lutein and Carotenoid on Age-Related Macular Degeneration-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Authors

Wei-Xiang Wang, Chen-Chi Wang, Wei-Cherng Hsu, Yi-Jie Peng

Published in

Journal of ophthalmology. Volume 2026. Pages 2155378. Epub Apr 22, 2026.

Abstract

To quantify the effects of lutein-containing supplementation on structural and functional visual outcomes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), with particular focus on disease stage and treatment exposure.
A meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials was conducted. Nine RCTs involving 860 participants were included. Eligible studies evaluated oral lutein alone or in combination with zeaxanthin or epilutein and reported pre- and post-treatment measurements of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Random-effects models were applied to calculate pooled effect sizes using Hedges' g. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore stage-specific responses and dose-duration associations.
Across the 9 RCTs, lutein-containing supplementation significantly improved MPOD (Hedges' g = -0.589, p < 0.001) and BCVA (Hedges' g = -0.827, p = 0.001). Improvements were predominantly observed in early-stage AMD, whereas no statistically significant benefit was detected in late-stage disease. Lutein monotherapy demonstrated greater visual benefit than combination regimens. Meta-regression analyses revealed significant positive associations between treatment effect and both supplementation duration and total lutein exposure. Contrast sensitivity and serum lutein concentrations also improved significantly.
Lutein-based supplementation is associated with measurable structural and functional visual benefits in early-stage AMD. Treatment effects appear dose- and duration-dependent, while evidence in late-stage AMD remains limited. These findings support early intervention strategies and warrant further investigation into long-term therapeutic impact.

PMID:
42028334
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Apr 2026.

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