Carotenoids of the human eye in prenatal and early postnatal development

The review deals with the role of carotenoids in the formation of the structural and functional differentiation of the macula--the area of the highest visual acuity of the human retina. The review also presents the data on detection of carotenoids (lutein) in the vitreous body of the human eye during its prenatal development and discusses their possible role in the development of the retina, particularly in relation to differentiation of the macular area. Macular dystrophy has been considered till recently as senile pathology. According to modern ophthalmologic observations, the number of cases of appearance of this pathology increases in young humans. Such a shift can be prevented by addition of carotenoids to the diet. This permits a conclusion that the permanent presence of carotenoids in the course of the whole human life is necessary for the formation and retention of structural and functional integrity of the macula.