Lutein & Zeaxanthin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Lutein & Zeaxanthin is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 4,650 participants, researched for Eye Health & Macular Protection, Visual Performance, Cognitive Function.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Eye Health & Macular Protection
StrongVisual Performance
StrongCognitive Function
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Eye Health & Macular Protection
To determine whether adding lutein + zeaxanthin to AREDS formulation decreases risk of advanced AMD
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled (AREDS2)
Purpose
To determine whether adding lutein + zeaxanthin to AREDS formulation decreases risk of advanced AMD
Dose
10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin daily
Participants
4203 AMD patients
Duration
5 years
Results
Lutein/zeaxanthin substitution for beta-carotene resulted in 18% risk reduction for advanced AMD vs beta-carotene.
How They Measured It
AMD progression to advanced stage, visual acuity
To evaluate lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on macular pigment and visual function in early AMD
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on macular pigment and visual function in early AMD
Dose
20 mg/day lutein + 4 mg zeaxanthin
Participants
145 early AMD patients
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant improvement in MPOD and contrast sensitivity; reduced AMD progression vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), visual acuity, contrast sensitivity
To test changes in retinal function following lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation in early AMD
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To test changes in retinal function following lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation in early AMD
Dose
20 mg lutein + 4 mg zeaxanthin
Participants
61 early AMD patients
Duration
36 months
Results
Significant improvements in retinal electrophysiology and MPOD vs placebo; improved overall retinal function.
How They Measured It
Electroretinography, visual acuity, MPOD
To assess the effect of dietary supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 on macular pigment
Study Type
Randomised, clinical trial (LIMPIA)
Purpose
To assess the effect of dietary supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 on macular pigment
Dose
20 mg lutein + 4 mg zeaxanthin + omega-3
Participants
116 adults at risk for AMD (parental history)
Duration
6 months treatment + 6 months follow-up
Results
Significant increase in MPOD at 0.5 degree eccentricity with lutein/zeaxanthin/omega-3 supplementation.
How They Measured It
MPOD at 0.5 and 1 degree eccentricity
To evaluate secondary outcomes of lutein and zeaxanthin on AMD progression in AREDS2
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate secondary outcomes of lutein and zeaxanthin on AMD progression in AREDS2
Dose
10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin
Participants
Subset of AREDS2 participants
Duration
5 years
Results
Lutein/zeaxanthin showed 26% reduction in risk of advanced AMD vs beta-carotene in those with low baseline intake.
How They Measured It
AMD progression, visual outcomes
Visual Performance
To evaluate lutein + zeaxanthin supplementation on visual performance in healthy young adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate lutein + zeaxanthin supplementation on visual performance in healthy young adults
Dose
10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin
Participants
59 healthy adults
Duration
6 months
Results
Significant improvements in contrast sensitivity, glare disability, and photostress recovery vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Contrast sensitivity, glare disability, photostress recovery
To assess lutein supplementation on visual function in adults with cataracts
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess lutein supplementation on visual function in adults with cataracts
Dose
15 mg lutein/week
Participants
17 adults with age-related cataracts
Duration
2 years
Results
Significant improvement in visual acuity and glare sensitivity vs placebo in cataract patients.
How They Measured It
Visual acuity, glare sensitivity, lens opacity
To evaluate lutein and zeaxanthin on digital eye strain and visual comfort
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate lutein and zeaxanthin on digital eye strain and visual comfort
Dose
10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin
Participants
48 healthy adults using computers
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant reduction in eye fatigue, improved contrast sensitivity and sleep quality vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Eye fatigue, contrast sensitivity, macular pigment
Cognitive Function
To evaluate lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on cognitive function in healthy older adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on cognitive function in healthy older adults
Dose
10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin
Participants
51 older adults
Duration
12 months
Results
Significant improvements in executive function and spatial memory; correlated with brain carotenoid status.
How They Measured It
Cognitive battery, brain lutein/zeaxanthin (MRI), MPOD
To assess lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation effects on memory and learning in young adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation effects on memory and learning in young adults
Dose
10 mg lutein + 2 mg zeaxanthin
Participants
51 young adults (18-30 years)
Duration
12 months
Results
Supplementation significantly improved verbal learning and spatial memory vs placebo in young adults.
How They Measured It
Verbal learning, attention, processing speed
To assess lutein supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk in women
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess lutein supplementation on cardiovascular disease risk in women
Dose
10 mg/day lutein
Participants
120 women with metabolic syndrome
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Lutein supplementation significantly reduced intima-media thickness and oxidative stress markers.
How They Measured It
Intima-media thickness, antioxidant status
To evaluate effects of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on AMD risk and visual outcomes
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate effects of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on AMD risk and visual outcomes
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple RCTs pooled
Duration
Various
Results
Lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation significantly increased MPOD and reduced AMD progression risk.
How They Measured It
AMD risk, MPOD, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lutein & Zeaxanthin research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on Lutein & Zeaxanthin (Lutein & Zeaxanthin), involving 4,650 total participants. Research covers Eye health, Macular protection, Cognitive function. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (12 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Lutein & Zeaxanthin has been researched for: Eye health, Macular protection, Cognitive function. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 12 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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