Study: Lutein (1992) macular degeneration and cataracts

Lutein Research- 1992- Cataracts & Macular Degeneration Prevention (a) Decreased risk of neovascular AMD was associated with higher levels of carotenoids in the serum samples ... (pg. 1704), (b) Increased risk of neovascular AMD was associated with cigarette smoking, higher levels of serum cholesterol ... (pg. 1704) Persons with higher carotenoid levels (sum of serum lutein/zeaxanthin, b-carotene, a-carotene, cryptoxanthin, and lycopene levels) had markedly reduced risks of neovascular AMD. This finding is of special interest because of suggestions that AMD occurs after cumulative oxidative insults and that higher levels of micronutrients with antioxidant capability may decrease the risk of AMD. The Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group, "Risk Factors for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration," Archives of Ophthalmology, December, 1992, Volume 110, Pages 1701-1708.