Macular pigment is composed of two chemicals, lutein and zeaxanthin, that are part of the family of compounds known as carotenoids. These compounds are contained in plants and protect them from light damage. Particularly high concentrations are contained in dark green and orange plants and fruits, like spinach, broccoli, green beans, corn and peaches. This already fits in with public health recommendations for a wide range of health issues - increase intake of vegetables and fruits. The scientists measured macular pigment and visual sensitivity of 27 healthy older subjects, ages 60 to 84, and compared them with 10 younger healthy subjects, ages 24 to 36.
Visual sensitivity is how much energy is required to detect photons.
Low sensitivity, usually associated with aging, means that it is more difficult to see light and thus, there is some vision loss. The blue is absorbed by macular pigment, but not green. The amount of blue light required to be equally as effective as the green yields the pigment density. This technology, which could become an important tool in predicting the risk for macular degeneration, is the subject of a recently filed patent application. As expected, visual sensitivity declined significantly with age.