Lutein Emulsion Stabilized by a Food-Grade Biopolymer Enhanced Lutein Bioavailability and Improved Retinal Vessel Morphology in Neonatal Rats with Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of blindness in infants, affecting 32% of hospitalized preterm babies. Oxidative stress, a primary pathogenic factor in ROP, triggers abnormal neovascularization of retinal vessels. Lutein, an antioxidant and the main component of macular pigment, is found in low levels in preterm infants and may help ameliorate ROP. However, its low bioavailability limits its application as a nutritional intervention.