The Importance of Macular Pigment

Quality of vision is maintained by a part of the eye known as the macular pigment. The macular pigment is a thin layer that acts as a yellow filter to the most important part of your eye known as the fovea - this is where your fine vision takes place. Some doctors refer to the macular pigment as the sunglasses of the back of the eye.

Lumega-Z Versus Other Macular Pigment

It is important to get all three carotenoids for maximum eye health benefit. Lumega-Z was formulated based on the National Institute of Health second study (AREDS2) results with a robust addition of antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, along with essential nutrients to provide comprehensive macular benefit. The most power antioxidant in nature is also found in Lumega-Z. Astaxanthin is 6,000 times greater antioxidant than Vitamin C.

Contrast Sensitivity

Contrast sensitivity is what allows you to distinguish between slight changes in luminance between an object and its background. People with low contrast sensitivity may have difficulty driving at night and seeing pedestrians crossing poorly lit streets. Our macular pigment protects the retina, the part of the eye responsible for sharp vision. When our macular pigment is undernourished, contrast sensitivity can be significantly diminished. However, studies show that taking dietary supplements with carotenoids can improve contrast sensitivity.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are a group of antioxidants that are crucial for good eye health and are responsible for giving vegetables and fruits their vibrant red, orange and green colors. Hundreds of carotenoids exist but only three form the macular pigment: lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin. The macular pigment is what protects the eye from ultraviolet light and retinal oxidative damage. Because the body cannot naturally produce carotenoids, it is essential to supplement the diet with vision-specific nutritional ingredients.