You may hear your retina specialist talk to you about taking lutein.
Lutein is a yellow pigment that belongs to the carotenoid family and is commonly found in leafy green vegetables, egg yolks, and certain fruits. It acts as an antioxidant and is important for eye health as it is concentrated in the retina and helps protect against age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, lutein may have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and improving skin health.
Lutein is important for vision because it is concentrated in the macula, a small area in the center of the retina that is responsible for sharp central vision and color perception. As a powerful antioxidant, lutein helps protect the eyes from damage caused by harmful light and oxidative stress, which can lead to age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults. By protecting the macula, lutein can help maintain healthy vision and reduce the risk of vision problems as we age.
Where can you get lutein? In your diet!
Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collard greens
Squash and pumpkin
Corn
Eggs
Fruits such as kiwi, grapes, and papaya
Marigold petals (a common source for commercial lutein supplements)
It is also available as a dietary supplement in the form of capsules or tablets.
If you have moderate dry macular degeneration or wet macular degeneration in one eye, consider speaking with your eye care provider about macular degeneration vitamins as well.
Follow along for more macular degeneration insights!