Clinical Trial of Lutein for Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa Receiving Vitamin A

Inclusion Criteria: Ocular Criteria * RP, typical forms(i.e. elevated final dark adaptation threshold,retinal arteriolar narrowing,and reduced and delayed full-field ERGs). * Best-corrected visual acuity 20/100 or better * HFA program 30-2 total point score \>= 250 decibels(dB)to a size V white test light * No confounding ocular disease such as glaucoma,uveitis,diabetic retinopathy,posterior subcapsular cataract more than 11% of total lens area (ie equivalent to P3 on Lens Opacity Classification System III)and pupil diameter after dilation less than 6 mm. Dietary Criteria * Fruit and vegetable intake \< 10 servings/d * Spinach or kale intake \< 1 serving/d, i.e. \<1/2 cup of cooked spinach or kale per day * Dietary lutein intake \<=5.4 mg/d as estimated from food frequency questionnaire * No intake of cod liver oil or omega-3 capsules * Dietary preformed vitamin A intake \<= 10,000 IU/d * Supplement intake \<= 5,000 IU/d of Vitamin A and \<= 30 IU/d of Vitamin E * Consumption \<= 3 alcoholic beverages/d Medical and other criteria * Age 18-60 y * Body mass index \< 40 and weight \>= 5th percentile for age,gender,and height * Serum retinol level \<= 100 micrograms/deciliter and serum retinyl ester level \<= 380 nanomoles/Liter * Serum cholesterol \< 300 micrograms/deciliter and serum triglyceride level \<400 micrograms/deciliter * No clinically significant abnormality on blood cell count, glucose level, blood urea nitrogen level, serum lipid panel results or serum liver function profile. * Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant * Not smoking currently * Agreed not to know tablet content or course of condition until the end of the trial. * No other disease which might affect absorption or metabolism of lutein or vitamin A. * Only one patient per family was accepted into the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant (Vitamin A supplements can increase the risk of birth defects.) * Current participation in another clinical trial for RP * Patients with atypical forms such as paravenous RP, pericentral RP, sector RP,unilateral RP,Refsum disease, Bardet-Biedl syndrome, retinitis punctata albescens and cone-rod dystrophy were excluded as were patients with RP and profound congenital deafness.