The retina contains the layer of cells which are sensitive to light (photoreceptors) and lies in the back of the eye like a thin sheet of plastic. The types of photoreceptors called rods are very sensitive to light but not color. The 3 types of cones function in bright light and each type mediates color vision of one of the primary colors, the blue receptors being the fewest and the red outnumbering the green about 2:1. The rods and cones are not evenly distributed over the whole retina. The most sensitive part of the retina contains only cones and they are very close together enabling us to see colors and things about 100 times more detailed than can be distinguished by the outer area of the retina. This area, called the fovea [about 300-400 micrometers] is surrounded an area about the size of a pencil erasure which is called the macula. The rest of the retina gives us our side vision and cannot distinguish fine details.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration [ARMD] is characterized by degenerative changes in the macular region of the retina and in the retinal pigment epithelium which provides its nutritional support and waste disposal. It is the most common cause of legal blindness, in people over 65 years living in most of the industrial world. As people get older this is a common cause of losing a driver's license and the ability to read.  It is particularly important to prevent this disease because there is no satisfactory treatment to reverse it.

The dry form accounts for about 90% of cases of ARMD. This form usually advances more slowly and is characterized by a loss receptor cells and clumps of waste material that clump together and may block part or all of the macula Although the etiology of this disease is not clear, recent research reveals that there are a number of factors associated with risk.

Some of the latest research shows that those who have more lutein and zeaxanthin in the macula have less ARMD. Other studies indicate that a majority of people who eat a diet rich in lutein and zeaxanthin will have an increase in their blood and in the retina but that there are others who do not show an increase in blood levels and some in whom the blood level increases but not the retinal levels

One of the most encouraging investigations revealed that those who ate diets rich in carotenoids had a lower risk and those who specifically ate spinach or collards at least 2-4 times per week had about half the risk of those who ate them once per month. A few who ate them six or more time per week had very low risks Helpful investigation followed with lists of fruits and vegetables like spinach, kale, parsley, collards, cress, guava juice which have large amounts of the protective carotenoids and others which have significant amounts.'

A recent report adds some variety with a list of 33 fruits and vegetables and their content of 8 carotenoids including corn, orange bell peppers, oranges, red seedless grapes, and honeydew as excellent sources of the macular pigments.

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