Alexandra Hospital said the study showed that high levels of macular pigment, which is derived from eating dark-coloured vegetables and fruits, was associated with better vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
AMD is a severe ocular disease characterised by progressive degeneration of the macula, and is the most common cause of blindness among people aged 60 and above, in developed countries.
In a statement today, the hospital said the study conducted in its Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Departments outpatient clinic involved 60 Singaporean Chinese participants aged 50 and above, of which 46 of them were diagnosed cases of AMD.
During measurement, participants were asked to adjust a flickering light using a dial until it stopped flickering, while viewing the stimulus centrally, and then peripherally.
By comparing the two measurements, the instrument was used to quantify the amount of MP in their eyes.
The hospital said the MP was made up of carotenoids which were derived entirely from diet and could not be synthesised anew in the human body, and the higher the MP, the better the vision.
It said carotenoids represented one of the most widespread groups of naturally occurring pigments, and were largely responsible for the appearance of different colours in commonly used vegetables and fruits.
Some rich sources of carotenoids included maize, pumpkin, orange pepper, green leafy vegetables, kiwi, grapes, oranges and berry (lycium barbarum), the hospital said.
The World Health Organisations global data on visual impairment in 2002 showed that AMD ranks third, after cataract and glaucoma, as the leading cause of blindness worldwide.
From : http://www.nst.com.my/
