Is Your Computer Screen Frying Your Eyes? This Can Help…

We aimed to examine the effect of different doses of lutein supplementation on visual function in subjects with long-term computer display light exposure. Thirty-seven healthy subjects with long-term computer display light exposure ranging in age from 22 to 30 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group L6 (6 mg lutein/d, n 12); Group L12 (12 mg lutein/d, n 13); and Group Placebo (maltodextrin placebo, n 12). Levels of serum lutein and visual performance indices such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and glare sensitivity were measured at weeks 0 and 12. After 12-week lutein supplementation, serum lutein concentrations of Groups L6 and L12 increased from 0.356 (SD 0.117) to 0.607 (SD 0.176) micromol/l, and from 0.328 (SD 0.120) to 0.733 (SD 0.354) micromol/l, respectively. No statistical changes from baseline were observed in uncorrected visual acuity and best-spectacle corrected visual acuity, whereas there was a trend toward increase in visual acuity in Group L12. Contrast sensitivity in Groups L6 and L12 increased with supplementation, and statistical significance was reached at most visual angles of Group L12. No significant change was observed in glare sensitivity over time. Visual function in healthy subjects who received the lutein supplement improved, especially in contrast sensitivity, suggesting that a higher intake of lutein may have beneficial effects on the visual performance.

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Keep in mind that the egg (which resembles the mammalian eye) has a wide range of nutrients within the yolk that are ideally suited to support eye health, including vitamin A, E, Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin.

Kale is also exceptionally rich in lutein, zeaxanthin and related eye friendly carotenoids. One cup of raw kale contains 26.5 mg of Lutein+Zeaxanthin – which would cost as much as $1 a pill when obtained through supplement form. See Nutrition Data on Kale here.

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Another related study showed the benefit of yoga for reducing visual strain associated with computer use.View here.