Analysis: Macular pigment is linked to both eye and cognitive health and comes from certain nutrients in food
A yellow pigment in the eye known as macular pigment, found in the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision, plays a crucial role in protecting the eyes. Macula pigment is a potent antioxidant and acts like a shield, filtering out harmful light that reaches the eye to contribute to macula and retinal health. Macular pigment is derived from specific nutrients called lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin, the only carotenoids that reach the retina. These colourful pigments, abundant in green, leafy vegetables and fruits, have important functions in the eye and brain, where they also selectively accumulate. They help offset stress caused by oxygen use in the retina and offer vital benefits to neural tissue.
The amount of macula pigment in the eye is linked to both eye and cognitive health. To maintain adequate levels and enjoy these protective benefits, a higher intake of carotenoids is needed. Researchers recommend including adequate amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin in the diet, even from a young age. This may provide long-term benefits for the eye and cognitive function during critical development stages.
But what do we see nowadays? The average Western diet often lack sufficient fruits and vegetables, the primary sources of these carotenoids. Food consumption studies show children tend to favour "junk foods" over these nutrient-rich options. These are energy-dense processed foods are not only low in nutrients but also loaded with saturated fats, refined carbohydrates and sugars. This preference for sugary snacks like crisps and chocolate over a bowl of greens is understandable.
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, Dr Máire Finn, GP in Ennis, Co Clare answers listeners' questions about eye health
However, the negative impact on health has been compared to the mental distress caused by witnessing violence. Sadly, the convenience of junk foods has become the norm, contributing to the growing prevalence of childhood obesity. Obesity is a major public health concern and a significant risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases. Moreover, in obese individuals, fat cells compete for the storage of these available carotenoids, hindering their vital functions and compromising on the health benefits these nutrients provide to the eye and brain where they should rather be deposited.
Aside from the current unhealthy diet issue, a contemporary challenge facing many children today is the cumulative risk to eye health from exposure to electronic screens (smartphones, tablets, video games etc). Modern technology has led to widespread use of digital devices among children, raising concerns about eye health effects due to increased screen time and exposure to blue light. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of high-energy blue light emitted from these devices, which is three times more likely to reach their retinas compared to adults.
In the short term, overexposure to blue light can lead to eye strain, resulting in symptoms such as redness, blurred vision, dryness, watery eyes, discomfort, and visual disturbances. It can also disrupt their sleep patterns. This has implications on visual performance of children for their school work and productivity. Over time, prolonged exposure to blue light can cause damage to the retina and increase the risk of developing age-related eye conditions. Fortunately, the macular pigment's ability to filter blue light provides some protection. However, if children have poor diets lacking in nutrients that support eye health, they may be at even greater risk for the cumulative damage that can result in visual and cognitive detriments of such lifestyle patterns in children. It is crucial to protect the eye health of children and seems sensible to urge children towards healthful diet pattern made up of carotenoid-rich vegetables and fruits.
Read more: How too much screen time is changing children's eyes
Recent studies have focused on the enhancing role of macular pigments in vision. Studies, like one conducted at TU Dublin, have shown that people with eye diseases have low levels of this pigment. However, when macula pigment levels are increased, they found improvements in aspects of cognition and visual function. These gains included reduced glare sensitivity, better distance judgement, and enhanced awareness of our surroundings—all crucial for daily interactions and better quality of life.
This research was not only grounded on the link between eye health and brain functions but supported that nutrients found in the macula pigment, like lutein, potentially influence cognitive skills when increased. Further, some studies indicate that children with higher levels of lutein, a key component of macula pigment, may have better thinking skills suggesting a crucial role in both visual and cognitive development in childhood, a critical period of growth and development.
If future studies in children could confirm these initial findings, it could be a game-changer, adding on to the motivation drive for parents to prioritise a healthy diet for their children from a young age. Researchers at the Centre for Eye Research Ireland at TU Dublin are investigating Cognition and Ocular Nutrition In Children (ICONIC), an nutritional status interventional study. If you are interested in exploring what is involved, please contact mosaic@tudublin.ie
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The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
