Women younger than age 75 years who eat diets rich in the yellow
plant pigments lutein and zeaxanthin may have a reduced risk of
developing the eye disease age-related macular degeneration,
according to a report in the August issue of Archives of
Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Age-related
macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when the macula, the area at
the back of the retina that produces the sharpest vision,
deteriorates over time. The condition is the leading cause of
blindness in aging Americans, according to background
information in the article. There is no cure for AMD and limited
treatment options are available to slow its progression, so
research on preventive measures is essential. Previous studies
have suggested a potential link between AMD and lutein and
zeaxanthin, plant pigments known as carotenoids and found in
leafy green vegetables, corn, egg yolks, squash, broccoli and
peas. These compounds may reduce the risk of AMD by absorbing
blue light that could damage the macula, by pr