Non-invasive Measurement of Carotenoids in Human Eye and Skin

Abstract

Carotenoids, which are anti-oxidative agents, protect the human body from various oxidative stresses. Carotenoids exist as macular pigment in the retina and they are measured non-invasively by four methods; heterochromatic flicker photometry, fundus reflectometry, fundus autofluorescence spectroscopy, and resonance Raman spectroscopy. The relation between carotenoids and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been studied and the prophylactic effects of supplement containing lutein and zeaxanthin to AMD was reported. Skin carotenoids are measured non-invasively by reflectometry. They are highly correlated with blood concentration of carotenoids and the measurement of carotenoids is useful for food education since it reflects dietary intake.