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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Measurement of Carotenoids in Perifovea using the Macular Pigment Reflectometer
Published on: January 29, 2020
Age-related macular degeneration and antioxidant vitamins: recent findings
1Jean Mayer US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. elizabeth.johnson@tufts.edu
Purpose Of Review:
The purpose of the present review is to evaluate the most recent evidence for a role of antioxidant nutrients in the prevention or delay in progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in the aging population.
Recent Findings:
Recent human studies (>2008) report a decreased AMD risk with increased intakes of lutein/zeaxanthin, B vitamins, zinc and docosahexaenoic acid but an increased risk with increased intakes of beta-carotene and vitamin E. These latter findings are inconsistent with previous reports (<2008).
Summary:
Findings on the association of certain antioxidants and docosahexaenoic acid support a role for nutrition in a decreased risk of AMD. The inconsistent findings of an increased risk with increased intake of beta-carotene and vitamin E warrants continued investigation into these relationships.
