Overview
The retina covers the inside of the back section of your eye. This tissue consists of light-sensitive cells that play a crucial part in the visual process. If the retina pulls away from the back of the eye, either from injury or an eye condition, this can result in serious, and sometimes permanent, vision loss. Nutrients such as lutein cannot prevent or treat a detachment, but lutein might offer other benefits for your retina.
Symptoms
A detached retina will often cause a sudden change in vision. You might notice that you have a curtain or dark veil that covers all or part of the vision in your eye. Instead of complete vision loss, you might notice many new floaters, and these black spots might obstruct your vision.
Lutein
Lutein, an antioxidant nutrient, often accompanies zeaxanthin, a similar antioxidant. The retina holds large quantities of these two nutrients. Studies have found that lutein helps reduce the risk of certain eye diseases such as macular degeneration, but, as of 2011, no study has shown a specific connection to retinal detachments. However, in a 2009 study, researchers evaluated the effects of lutein in people with inflamed retinal tissue. The findings showed that the presence of lutein in the tissue might help protect the retinal nerves from damage during periods of inflammation.
Although this study does not relate directly to a detachment, a retinal detachment might result from inflammation, and, in theory, retinal nerves that have benefited from the protective effects of lutein might aid in healing and restoration of vision after surgical repair of the detachment.
Although this study does not relate directly to a detachment, a retinal detachment might result from inflammation, and, in theory, retinal nerves that have benefited from the protective effects of lutein might aid in healing and restoration of vision after surgical repair of the detachment.
Sources
Your body does not produce lutein, so you need to use diet or supplements to bring lutein into your body. Lutein-rich foods include dark green, leafy vegetables such as kale, collard greens and spinach. Other foods such as corn, broccoli and green beans also provide lutein, but do not have the rich lutein content of leafy greens.
If you do not follow a diet that gives you enough lutein, your doctor might recommend that you take a daily supplement. The amount of lutein you need will depend on your diet, health and the medications you use. Certain multivitamins contain lutein, and studies suggest lutein might help prevent eye diseases such as macular degeneration. Talk to your doctor about whether one of these multivitamins, often referred to as "eye vitamins," might benefit you.
If you do not follow a diet that gives you enough lutein, your doctor might recommend that you take a daily supplement. The amount of lutein you need will depend on your diet, health and the medications you use. Certain multivitamins contain lutein, and studies suggest lutein might help prevent eye diseases such as macular degeneration. Talk to your doctor about whether one of these multivitamins, often referred to as "eye vitamins," might benefit you.
Considerations
Contact your doctor at the first sign of a retinal detachment. If the vision changes occur on the weekend or late in the evening, go directly to the nearest emergency room. Waiting for treatment might reduce your chances of restoring vision.
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