Scientists in Belfast and Waterford have discovered that antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables such as carrots may slow down sight loss in elderly people.

In a five-year study Professor Usha Chakravarthy, from the Queen’s University Centre of Vision and Vascular Science, looked at nutritional supplements for patients with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and found they helped sharpen vision.

More than 400 people with an average age of 77 took part in clinical trials investigating whether carotenoids – rich antioxidants found in fruit and vegetables – could prevent progression to the more serious late AMD.

The supplement contained the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, combined with vitamins C, E and zinc.

The study showed the intake of high levels of both carotenoids preserved the macular pigments, slowing down the progression from early to late AMD.

AMD is an incurable eye disease which causes blurring of central vision.