The rationale and evidence base for a protective role of macular pigment in age-related maculopathy
- 1Macular Pigment Research Group, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland
- 2Department of Ophthalmology, Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland
- Dr J M Nolan, Macular Pigment Research Group, Waterford Institute of Technology, Cork Road, Waterford, Ireland; jnolan{at}wit.ie
- Accepted 11 June 2008
- Published Online First 31 July 2008
Abstract
Age-related maculopathy (ARM) remains the most common cause of blind registration in people aged 50 years or over in the developed world, and its prevalence continues to rise. Although effective new treatments have become available in the recent past, these are expensive and cumbersome to the healthcare provider and to the patient, and many cases remain resistant to such therapy. There is a biologically plausible rationale whereby macular pigment, which is entirely of dietary origin, may prevent or delay the onset, or ameliorate the clinical course, of ARM. In this article, we review this rationale, and critically appraise the current evidence base germane to the use of supplements containing the macular carotenoids in patients with, or at risk of developing, ARM.
Footnotes
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Funding: EL is currently conducting research towards a PhD degree, part-funded by a grant from Bausch & Lomb Ireland Limited.
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Competing interests: CK and EL: None. SB and JMN do consultancy work for nutraceutical companies, in a personal capacity, and as directors of NutraSight Consultancy Limited.
