Eggs prevent blindness

A compound in eggs may help in keeping macular degeneration in check, one of the causes of blindness.

A compound in eggs may help in keeping macular degeneration, one of the leading causes of blindness in the world, at bay, according to nutritionists.

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Leutine, a plant chemical found in green leafy vegetables and egg yolks, helps protect the eye against damage from ultraviolet and other light,

"Leutine is the only compound the body concentrates in the macular region of the eye, and it does that because leutine absorbs blue wavelength and ultraviolet light and so protects that region of the eye from the damage," US biochemist and nutrition researcher Donald McNamara said, before speaking at a conference in Sydney.

"When you don't have sufficient leutine in your diet, you run a greater risk of macular degeneration, in which you'll start to see a black spot in the middle of your vision," he added.

Smokers, people with blue eyes, older people and those with a family history are most at risk. "People at higher risk should get leutine from a variety of sources, but you optimise your intake of it from eggs," Dr McNamara, was quoted by The Age as saying.

Leutine in yolks is more easily absorbed than most other sources. "You get almost three times more into the blood stream from eggs than from spinach and other vegetables," he added.