老年性黃斑病變(AMD)已成為美國及其他發達國家65歲以上老年人永久性失明的主要原因。視網膜中的黃斑（位於眼球水晶體正後方、視網膜中心的很小的一部分，負責中心視力）細胞開始遭到破壞，逐漸導致中心視野受損，但周邊視野不受影響。
老年性黃斑病變(AMD)與葉黃素(Lutein)
通過食物大量攝取葉黃素(Lutein)可降低罹患造成永久性失明的老年性黃斑病變(AMD)的危險性，其科學依據已經多項研究證實。（參照引用文獻1,2,3)。
因此，推薦每天從食物或健康食品中攝取6mg的葉黃素(Lutein)，以對老年性黃斑病變(AMD)起到預防作用。
文獻
1. |
(1992). "Risk factors for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. The Eye Disease Case- Control Study Group." Arch Ophthalmol 110(12): 1701-8. |
2. |
(1993). "Antioxidant status and neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group." Arch Ophthalmol 111(1): 104-9. |
3. |
Seddon, J. M., U. A. Ajani, et al. (1994). "Dietary carotenoids, vitamins A, C, and E, and advanced age-related macular degeneration. Eye Disease Case-Control Study Group." Jama 272(18): 1413-20. |
4. |
Brown, L.., E. B. Rimm, et al. (1999). "A prospective study of carotenoid intake and risk of cataract extraction in US men." Am J Clin Nutr 70(4): 517-24. |
5. |
Chasan-Taber, L., W. C. Willett, et al. (1999). "A prospective study of carotenoid and vitamin A intakes and risk of cataract extraction in US women." Am J Clin Nutr 70(4): 509-16. |
6. |
Hankinson, S. E., M. J. Stampfer, et al. (1992). "Nutrient intake and cataract extraction in women: a prospective study." Bmj 305(6849): 335-9. |
7. |
Yeum, K. J., A. Taylor, et al. (1995). "Measurement of carotenoids, retinoids, and tocopherols in human lenses." Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 36(13): 2756-61. |
8. |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services NCFHS. Third national health and examination survey (NHANES III), 1988-1994, 1999 |
9. |
Univ. of Wisconsin study |
10. |
Jefferson Davis Associates (2001) "The Eye Doctor Perspective" |
