Journal of Food Technology and Nutrition Sciences
J Food Technol Nutr Sci, Volume 1, Issue 1
http://crescopublications.org/pdf/JFTNS/JFTNS-1-R005.pdf
Article Number: JFTNS-1-R005
Mini Review
Open Access
Macular Pigment and Its Potential Role in Ocular Health
Jeung H Kim*
Southern College of Optometry, USA
*Corresponding Author: Jeung H Kim, Southern College of Optometry, USA, E-mail: hyoun19@gmail.com
The outer retina is more vulnerable to oxidative stress compared to other ocular structures due to high oxygen demand
anddirect exposure to light. The age related macular degeneration
(ARMD) is a leading cause of blindness, affecting more than 10 million people in the U.S. Its pathogenesis still
needs tobe elucidated further, but oxidative stress posed to the outer retina is one of possible etiologies of this multifactorial disease.Some studies have shown that increased intake of antioxidant nutrients plays a protective role against
ARMD progression. It isof great interest in recent years to study macular pigment due to its potential role as a modifiable
riskfactor for ARMD. Macularpigment is composed of three carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. The
first two compounds can be obtainedfrom dietary sources, while meso-zeaxanthin is synthesized in the central macula.
The accumulation of three carotenoids athigher concentrations in the human retina than elsewhere in the body has been
implicated in their functional role in minimizinglight induced damage to the eye including development and/or
progression of ARMD. Current knowledge on dietary sources,distribution, pharmacokinetics, and effects of dietary
supplementation on ocular function will be discussed in this presentation.In addition, recent development of various
methods to assess macular pigment level in vivo will be reviewed as well.
The macula or macula lutea (from Latin macula, "spot" + lutea, "yellow") is an oval-shaped pigmented area near
the center of the retina of the human eye. It has a diameter of around 5.5 mm (0.22 in). The macula is subdivided into the
umbo, foveola, foveal avascular zone (FAZ), fovea, parafovea, and perifoveaareas. After death or enucleation (removal
of the eye) the macula appears yellow, a color that is not visible in the living eye except when viewed with light from
which red has been filtered. The anatomical macula at 5.5 mm (0.22 in) is much larger than the clinical macula which, at
1.5 mm (0.059 in), corresponds to the anatomical fovea. The clinical macula is seen when viewed from the pupil, as in
ophthalmoscopy or retinal photography. The anatomical macula is defined histologically in terms of having two or more
layers of ganglion cells.
Near its center is the fovea, a small pit that contains the largest concentration of cone cells in the eye and is
responsible for central, high-resolution vision. The umbo is the center of the foveola which is located at the centre of
fovea.
The eyes play an important role in mobility, function, and enjoyment of life. For this reason, it is important to
maintain good ocular health. (The term "ocular" refers to the eye and its organ system.)
The eye performs the sole task of capturing light. All different parts of the eye system then work together,
connecting with neurons that transmit and translate messages directly into the brain as visual images.
Having good ocular health means that vision is at least 20/20 or better with or without correction, and the eyes
are disease-free. There are simple corrective and preventive measures to maintain good vision and enjoy lifelong ocular
health.
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