What is lutein? What is zeaxanthin?
Have you ever wondered if there was anything you could do to prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration? Lutein and Zeaxanthin are two answers! These two carotenoids are antioxidants located in your eye! There are over 600 carotenoids in nature but only these two are found in high quantities in the retina (macula) of the eye!
Lutein and Zeaxanthin filter harmful high energy blue wavelengths of light and help protect and maintain healthy cells in the eyes. Due to the way antioxidants neutralize free radicals, lutein and zeaxanthin play a role in preventing cataracts or significantly decreasing the risk of their formation. The human body does not naturally make these carotenoids so getting these in your diet through green vegetables or nutritional supplements can help maintain good eye health.
There is also evidence that lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. Ankeny Family Vision Center has instrumentation called MPOD that measures the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin in your eye. This MPOD has become useful for predicting disease and visual function.
Are you getting enough lutein and zeaxanthin in your diet? They can be found in kale, spinach, collards, turnip greens, peas, broccoli, romaine lettuce, beans and eggs. If adding these "greens" do not interest you, Drs. Hansen, Pietig, and Young recommend supplements of which we have in the office for your convenience.
Schedule and appointment for your comprehensive, individualized eye health exam and be sure to mention you want an MPOD to see how your levels of lutein and zeaxanthin are in your eyes!!
Protect your eyes!! You will be glad later in life that you did!!