Effect of Carotenoids Supplementation on Visual Function in Chinese Subjects
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Carotenoids supplementation, Placebo.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Vision Disorders. Basic parameters: from 35 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Effect of Carotenoids Supplementation on Visual Function in Chinese Subjects Free of Retinal Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Overview
The macula is a pigmented area at the center of the retina, and responsible for the central, high-resolution color vision. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the macula and is the leading cause of irreversible vision impairment and blindness worldwide. The yellow pigment at the macula is referred to as macular pigment. There is now strong evidence showing that macular pigment (MP), which is composed of the dietary carotenoids lutein (L), meso-zeaxanthin (MZ), and zeaxanthin (Z) is protective against AMD and vision loss. MP is a powerful antioxidant and also filters short-wavelength (blue) light at the macula. The AREDS2 study concluded that supplementation of L and Z is beneficial for patients with non-advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The CREST and other studies had reported that dietary supplementation of these carotenoids could enhance contrast sensitivity among the Caucasian population, whereas little information is known about the effect of dietary supplementation of carotenoids on contrast sensitivity among Chinese. Thus in this study, we aim to investigate whether supplementation of a formulation containing 10 mg L, 10 mg MZ, and 2mg Z on contrast sensitivity in Chinese subjects free of retinal disease. This study is a single-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. Participants in the intervention group received oral supplementation of 10 mg L, 10 mg MZ, and 2mg Z in a formula base oil suspension as one soft gel capsule in the morning per day. Participants in the control group receive one soft gel capsule of placebo oil per day. The intervention and placebo supplements are identical in external appearance, and the two treatments are therefore indistinguishable from each other. The duration of the study intervention is 12 months, and study visits are conducted at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the change in contrast sensitivity (CS) at 6 cycles per degree (cpd) over the study course: Y=CS4-CS1, where CS1 is CS at 6 cpd at baseline, CS4 is the CS at 6cpd at the 12-month follow-up. The secondary outcomes of this study include CS at other cpds and at other study visits, best-corrected visual acuity, subjective visual function, and skin carotenoid levels at each study visit.
Interventions
- Dietary supplement Carotenoids supplementation
Daily oral supplementation of a soft gel capsule containing 10mg lutein (L), 10mg meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) and 2mg zeaxanthin (Z). - Dietary supplement Placebo
Daily oral supplementation of a soft gel capsule containing only placebo oil
Primary outcome measures
- Change in contrast sensitivity (CS) at 6 cycles per degree (cpd) over 1 year [Time frame: 1 year]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- CS at other cpds and at other study visits [Time frame: 1 year]
- Best-corrected visual acuity [Time frame: 1 year]
- Subjective visual function [Time frame: 1 year]
- Skin carotenoids score [Time frame: 1 year]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Chinese subjects
- Age 35 years or above
- Monocular BCVA of 6/6 or better
- No more than +/- 5 diopters spherical equivalence of refraction
- No previous consumption of supplements containing macular carotenoids (L, Z and/or MZ) within the last 12 months
- Without severe retinal diseases (eg. retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular hole, idiopathic epiretinal membrane, retinitis pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration (assessed by experienced ophthalmologists during ocular examination)
Exclusion criteria
- Unable to provide informed consent
- With diagnosed diabetes
- With severe systemic disease which affects physical mobility and successful follow-up
- Contrast sensitivity at a spatial density of 6 cpd ≤ 1.5 % at baseline in the eye with better visual acuity
- Subjects who plan to receive cataract surgery within the next year
- Subjects who are unable to cooperate with the examinations during follow-ups, such as those who suffer from other serious systemic diseases or mental abnormalities
- History of intraocular surgery (eg. cataract surgery, vitrectomy and retinal laser photocoagulation)
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Publications
- Xu K, Tang X, Zhang Y, Tay JP, Zhang S, Qin Y, Wong W, He M, Han X. Effect of carotenoids supplementation on visual function in Chinese adults free of retinal disease: protocol for the CSV double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2026 Mar 26;16(3):e112364. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-112364. PMID 41887628
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06098677 · 2022KYPJ141