Title

The Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study
Randomized, Double Blind, Lutein Controlled Study of Zeaxanthin and Visual Function in Atrophic Age Related Macular Degeneration Patients
  • Phase

    N/A
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Study Participants

    60
To evaluate if supplementation of zeaxanthin (with or without Lutein) is beneficial to patients with early and moderate Atrophic Age Related Macular Degeneration.
To evaluate whether or not zeaxanthin supplementation raises macular pigment optical density (MPOD). Previous research has shown MPOD to mirror visual benefits for patients with age related atrophic macular degeneration (AMD) having visual symptoms (decreased visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, photostress glare recovery and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25 scores), but lower risk National Eye Institute (NEI) / Age Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) characteristics.
Study Started
Nov 30
2007
Primary Completion
May 31
2009
Study Completion
Jun 30
2009
Results Posted
Mar 29
2012
Estimate
Last Update
Mar 29
2012
Estimate

Drug 3R 3'R Zeaxanthin

8 mg per day during 12 months

  • Other names: EZEyes

Dietary Supplement Lutein

9 mg of Lutein during 12 months

Dietary Supplement Lutein and Zeaxanthin

8 mg of lutein and 8 mg of Zeaxanthin administered during 12 months

Lutein Placebo Comparator

9 mg of Lutein for 12 months

Zeaxanthin and Lutein Active Comparator

3R 3'R Zeaxanthin 8 mg, Lutein 8 mg per day during 12 months

Zeaxanthin Active Comparator

3R 3'R Zeaxanthin 8 mg per day during 12 months

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

diagnosis of atrophic AMD (ICD9 362.51) by stereo bio-ophthalmoscopy and at least one vision degrading visual-psychophysical abnormality associated with AMD in one or both eyes.
clear non-lenticular ocular media (cornea, aqueous and vitreous)
free of advanced glaucoma and diabetes or any other ocular or systemic disease that could affect central or parafoveal macula visual function

Exclusion Criteria:

high risk retinal characteristics for advanced AMD or advanced AMD for which existing medical / surgical options are available
presence of ophthalmologically significant active exudative, AMD pathology by fluorescein angiography but also a single large drusen, >15, multiple intermediate drusen, parafoveal geographic atrophy or loss of vision in one eye due to advanced AMD
recent (within 6 months) cataract or retinal surgery
taking photosensitizing drugs such as phenothiazines and chloroquine
having taken lutein or zeaxanthin supplements within the past six months.

Summary

Lutein

Lutein Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin

All Events

Event Type Organ System Event Term

Macular Pigment Optical Density

Replicate measures of foveal 1 degree estimated central MPOD were evaluated with the Quantify® MPS 9000 macular pigment screener, a modified heterochromic flicker photometer (HFP). It employs alternating blue and green flickering LED's and fixation on a 1 degree target, so that a representative measurement at 0.5 degree off center from the fovea is calculated. The method has good repeatability (r = 0.97) and the data are comparable with an objective optical method based on retinal reflectometry (r = 0.78).

Lutein

0.48
Density units of Macular Pigment (du) (Mean)
Standard Error: .05

Lutein Zeaxanthin

0.38
Density units of Macular Pigment (du) (Mean)
Standard Error: .06

Zeaxanthin

0.42
Density units of Macular Pigment (du) (Mean)
Standard Error: .04

Macular Pigment Optical Density

Replicate measures of foveal 1 degree estimated central MPOD were evaluated with the Quantify® MPS 9000 macular pigment screener, a modified heterochromic flicker photometer (HFP). It employs alternating blue and green flickering LED's and fixation on a 1 degree target, so that a representative measurement at 0.5 degree off center from the fovea is calculated. The method has good repeatability (r = 0.97) and the data are comparable with an objective optical method based on retinal reflectometry (r = 0.78).

Lutein

0.48
Density units of Macular Pigment (du) (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.05

Lutein Zeaxanthin

0.44
Density units of Macular Pigment (du) (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.06

Zeaxanthin

0.46
Density units of Macular Pigment (du) (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.04

Macular Pigment Optical Density

Replicate measures of foveal 1 degree estimated central MPOD were evaluated with the Quantify® MPS 9000 macular pigment screener, a modified heterochromic flicker photometer (HFP). It employs alternating blue and green flickering light emitting diodes and fixation on a 1 degree target, so that a representative measurement at 0.5 degree off center from the fovea is calculated.

Lutein

0.54
Density units of Macular Pigment (du) (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.05

Lutein Zeaxanthin

0.52
Density units of Macular Pigment (du) (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.06

Zeaxanthin

0.48
Density units of Macular Pigment (du) (Mean)
Standard Error: 0.04

Glare Recovery

Photostress glare recovery test involves exposing an individual eye to intense light, or retinal bleach, for a set duration of time and measuring the time taken for visual acuity to recover to a predetermined level. Glare photo-stress recovery (in seconds) following 30 seconds of continuous retinal bleach, was assessed using 2 line supra-threshold low contrast randomly presented Landolt Cs using the KOWA AS14B Night Vision Tester (KOWA Optimed, Tokyo, Japan).

Zeaxanthin

16.65
Seconds (Mean)
Standard Error: 10.25

Lutein

25.2
Seconds (Mean)
Standard Error: 28.5

Lutein Zeaxanthin

14.85
Seconds (Mean)
Standard Error: 22

Contrast Sensitivity Function Photopic Distance

Distance photopic contrast sensitivity function (CSF) at 5 spatial frequencies (1.5, 3, 6, 12 & 20 cc/deg) was determined with the Functional Vision Analyzer® (Stereo Optical Co, Inc, Chicago, IL). Contrast sensitivity readings are shown as a curve. Visual acuity is plotted along the horizontal axis and contrast sensitivity along the vertical axis. Among the normally sighted people, both visual acuity and contrast sensitivity have a wide range of variation.Low population CSF is 0-200 units; normal population CSF is 200-300 units and suprathreshold CSF is 300+ units.

Lutein

310.5
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 33.8

Lutein Zeaxanthin

247.1
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 35

Zeaxanthin

254.7
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 35.2

6.5 Degrees Tritan Threshold

The ChromaTest© is a computerized psychophysical test of protan and tritan color thresholds against age-corrected data. The computer finds the endpoint of the test by a Modified Binary Search method; if response is correct, on the next presentation the color difference between letter and background is halved. If response is incorrect, the color -contrast is doubled. Incorrect responses prolong the test, but do not influence the final threshold. This method of determining thresholds leads to finite steps which reach a plateau at the color contrast sensitivity threshold.

Lutein

4.46
dB (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.08

Lutein Zeaxanthin

8.37
dB (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.39

Zeaxanthin

3.45
dB (Mean)
Standard Error: 1.09

100% Kinetic Field

Scotomas within the central 20 degree central macula visual field sensitivity was assessed at 5 contrast levels (20, 40, 60, 80, and full contrast). A yellow wavelength stimulus avoided confounding by the lens. Subjects outlined the boundaries of their scotoma(s) on an area-integrating and recording touch flat- screen RGB monitor displaying a central fixation point and movable horizontal/vertical raster lines. The computer calculated summed area of the scotoma(s) with arbitrary scaling from 6000 (dense scotoma) to 0 relative units (absence of scotoma).

Lutein

2704.0
Units on a scale (0 to 6000) (Mean)
Standard Error: 1745

Lutein Zeaxanthin

2207.0
Units on a scale (0 to 6000) (Mean)
Standard Error: 210

Zeaxanthin

1129.0
Units on a scale (0 to 6000) (Mean)
Standard Error: 650

SHAPE Discrimination

We determined the target deformation detection thresholds, or amplitude of the minimum detectable distortion of a 1 degree foveal circular target. The peak spatial frequency of RF (radial frequency) patterns was 5 cyc/deg; the radial modulation frequency was 8 cyc/360°; mean radii were 0.5°, 1°, 2.0°, or 2.5°; and stimulus contrast was 80%. The highest % modulation score possible is 0.13 while the easiest (lowest score) was 10% modulation.

Lutein

0.5
% modulation (Mean)
Standard Deviation: .24

Lutein Zeaxanthin

0.6
% modulation (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.25

Zeaxanthin

0.6
% modulation (Mean)
Standard Deviation: .46

Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study Distance Visual Acuity

Black and 10% contrast near reading visual acuity was assessed with a Colenbrander Mixed Contrast Reading Card with LogMAR letters (#4031, Precision Vision, LaSalle, Illinois). We determined single letter acuity on an ordinal VAS (Visual Acuity Scale). The largest letters were 0.05 LogMAR with a VAS = 35 while the most difficult smallest letters were LogMar 1.25 or VAS 105. The test card was held at 40 cm with best monocular refraction, and both low and high contrast letter acuity were assessed.

Lutein

98.9
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 5.7

Lutein Zeaxanthin

92.8
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 5.9

Zeaxanthin

96.8
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Error: 8.35

Total

60
Participants

100% Kinetic Field

2738
Units on a scale (0 to 6000) (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 4471

6.5 degrees Tritan threshold

6.9
(dB) (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 10

Age Continuous

74.9
years (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 10

Contrast Sensitivity Function Photopic Distance

204
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 125

Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study distance visual acuity

88.7
units on a scale (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 13

Glare Recovery

34.1
Seconds (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 30

Macular Pigment Optical Density

0.33
Density units of macular pigment (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.05

Shape Discrimination

0.8
% modulation (Mean)
Standard Deviation: 0.8

Age, Categorical

Sex: Female, Male

Overall Study

Lutein

Lutein Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin

Drop/Withdrawal Reasons

Lutein

Lutein Zeaxanthin

Zeaxanthin