Background: The antioxidant properties of carotenoids may play a crucial role in mitigating the risk of macular degeneration by effectively absorbing harmful blue light, thereby highlighting the importance of improving Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) and Central Foveal Thickness (CFT). Clinical investigations have demonstrated that scavenging free radicals using carotenoids localized in the macula may yield significant benefits for ocular health. The structural arrangement of the fovea is pivotal for determining the deposition of macular pigments within the retina. The quantity, quality, type of delivery, and duration of carotenoid intake through dietary sources or supplements can greatly influence absorption by the intestinal wall and subsequent delivery to the eye.

Objective: To further understand the role of carotenoids in improving MPOD and CFT, this study aimed to assess the impact of CaroRite supplementation (lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, alpha carotene, beta carotene, and lycopene-natural mixed carotenoids) on MPOD and its correlation with CFT.

Study Design & Method: A total of 93 subjects were randomized in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel, three-arm study, which was followed for 180 days. Post-study data were subjected to advanced statistical analysis to assess the efficacy of CaroRite™ versus placebo and lutein and zeaxanthin alone on MPOD and its relationship with CFT. Results: CaroRite™ (p=0.0001) and lutein and zeaxanthin (p=0.0009) showed statistically significant improvements in MPOD levels compared to baseline. In contrast, the placebo arm (p=0.6179) did not show any significant changes in MPOD levels compared to baseline. CaroRite™ increased the MPOD by approximately 50.53%, whereas lutein and zeaxanthin increased the MPOD by approximately 46.91%. CaroRite™ showed a marginally higher positive correlation between MPOD and CFT than lutein and zeaxanthin, while the placebo did not show any positive correlation.

Conclusion: CaroRite™ showed a statistically significant increase in MPOD compared with placebo. Compared to lutein and zeaxanthin, CaroRite™ increased the MPOD by a larger amount, although the difference was not statistically significant. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between the added carotenoids in scavenging free radicals and their possible mechanisms of action in protecting against macular degeneration.