Effect of carotenoids dietary supplementation on macular function in diabetic patients

Abstract

BackgroundDiabetic retinopathy is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness among working-age people worldwide. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a carotenoid supplementation on retinal thickness and macular function of patients with diabetes using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG).MethodsA retrospective study of one hundred and twenty eyes of sixty patients age between 40 and 60 years with non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus without diabetic retinopathy who underwent OCT and mfERG and took vitamin supplements for a period of two years. Patients received a carotenoid supplement containing lutein (10 mg), zeaxanthin (2 mg) and meso-zeaxanthin (10 mg) once a day for two years. The thickness of the fovea was evaluated using OCT and the macular function was tested by mfERG.ResultsOCT showed an increase in the central foveal thickness and mfERG revealed increased retinal response density within the central 13° surrounding the fovea (rings 1 to 3) at two years after the onset of carotenoids supplement intake.ConclusionThe use of carotenoid supplements may be of benefit for improving visual function of type 2 diabetes patients. However, further study is needed to assess the treatment’s long-term efficacy.

Diabetic Retinopathy: Pathophysiology and Treatments

“…In the diabetic mouse, lutein treatment effectively prevents retinal changes [ 75 ]. Moreover, lutein supplementation is associated with improved visual function in patients with NPDR [ 71 ] ( Table 4 ).…”

<p>The Therapeutic Role of Carotenoids in Diabetic Retinopathy: A Systematic Review</p>

“…The results of the present study revealed that lutein (10 mg/day)-, zeaxanthin (2 mg/day)-, and mesozeaxanthin (10 mg/day)-containing supplement improved retinal histological change and visual function. 30 Sahli et al revealed that consumption of high lutein and zeaxanthin food was not associated with a decrease in DR incidence in a six-year prospective cohort study. 31 Zhang et al study the impacts of lutein on diabetic patients with DR in a placebo-controlled clinical trial.…”

Lutein and the Aging Eye

“…This study was consistent with the results conclude from supplementation of 10 mg/day lutein for 36 weeks in patients with nonproliferative DR [83]. A recent study has shown an increased thickness in the central fovea and improved retinal response density after 2-year supplementation of combined lutein (10 mg/day), zeaxanthin (2 mg/day), and mesozeaxanthin (10 mg/day) in type 2 diabetic patients without DR, indicating beneficial effects of xanthophylls on visual functions in diabetes [84].…”