Abstract
Purpose :
We previously reported that older women who were breastfed as infants in the 1920’s-1940’s had greater area of the carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) in their retina (macular pigment) than those who were fed infant formulas.† It has been established that having higher macular pigment is associated with better visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. We contribute to mounting evidence for the importance of L and Z in infancy to lifelong eye health, results of a pilot study in middle-aged men and women born in years when commercial formula lacking L and Z was common.
Methods :
We conducted a retrospective cohort study to ascertain L and Z exposure during infancy (as determined by having been breast or formula fed), as well as mid-life L and Z intake, were related to their optical density in the macula, and measures of vision function and retinal structure. Seventy-seven participants ages 40 to 65 years were recruited by mass email to the University of Wisconsin community and by flyers in Ophthalmology offices. Before enrollment, telephone interviews were conducted to determine whether they met inclusion criteria: Could recall whether they were primarily breast or formula fed in their first six months of life, were not aware of any retinal disease, and did not consume >1 mg/day of LZ in supplements. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was measured by heterochromatic flicker photometry. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography scans of each eye were acquired to measure retinal thickness. Vision functions were assessed (best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), and critical fusion flicker frequency threshold (CFF)). Means in ocular outcomes were assessed using linear regression.
Results :
Participants who were formula fed as infants tended to have a lower MPOD at 0.5o than those breastfed if their current dietary intake of L and Z was <2 mg/day (mean (SE) = 0.38 (0.06) vs. 0.54 (0.07), Ptrend = 0.09).
Conclusions :
Maintaining adequate intake of lutein and zeaxanthin may be more important to retinal integrity and vision function in mid-life in individuals who were not exposed to retinal carotenoids through breastmilk or infant formulas as infants.
†Liu Z, et al. Exposure to lutein in infancy via breast milk and later life macular pigment optical density. IOVS, 2015; 56(7):192.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.