Lutein (2012, 2014) & Central Serous Chorioretinopathy (CSR)

Learn more about central serous choroidopathy.

2014

Researchers have been investigating the effects of antioxidants in treating retinal conditions such as central serous choroidopathy (CSR) because many of these nutrients are helpful as therapies for similar retinal conditions.

Scientists wanted to evaluate the efficacy of lutein nutritional therapy as measured by both levels of lutein in blood plasma, and on the optical density of the retinal pigments in CSR patients. The latter was accomplished using standard autofluorescence spectrometry testing.

This was a placebo-controlled and double-blind study in which 20 patients with CSR were given 20mg daily lutein and 19 other CSR patients were given placebo.

Blood lutein levels and macular pigment density was measured at the beginning of the study period, after 1 month, and again after 4 months.

Blood lutein levels increased markedly after 1 month and after 4 months compared to controls, but the macular pigment densities did not improve significantly. But patients who initially had poor blood lutein levels avoid further thinning of the macular pigment density.

Researchers: M. Sawa, F. Gomi, et al.
Published: Effects of a lutein supplement on the plasma lutein concentration and macular pigment in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, July, 2014.

2012

In another placebo-controlled study with similar results patients with CSR given high-dose antioxidants. The treated patients did not experience significant changes in visual acuity and macular pigment thickness, but the amount of leakage between tissues did decrease. Like the lutein study above, high-dose antioxidants appears to keep the condition from worsening emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis.

Researchers: M. Ratanasukon, et al.
Published: High-dose antioxidants for central serous chorioretinopathy; the randomized placebo-controlled study, BMC Ophthalmology, July, 2012.