LUTEIN: RATIONALE AND ITS USE IN OPTICAL RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY
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Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the most common causes of blindness in pre- mature infants, and its incidence has been increasing markedly. This increase is due to the fact that the survival rates of very premature infants have also increased as a result of scientific progress and widespread availability of technological equipment in neonatal intensive care units. Such infants are exposed to a hyperoxic environment for prolonged periods, that can be hostile to the physiological development of the retina. Therefore, an extensive focus has been placed on the use of carotenoids, antioxidants for excellence, such as lutein and its isomer zeaxanthin, which are used in the prevention of retinal damage caused by oxygen free radicals. The aim of this article is to summarize the cur- rent literature on the effects and possible mechanisms of action of lutein and its isomer, and, in particular, to provide information on fundamental lutein sources to premature newborns.
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