Lutein is a potent antioxidant carotenoid, found in abundance in fruits and green leafy vegetables. Lutein is one of the dominant pigments found in the macular region of the retina in the eye. In the macula, lutein is selectively accumulated from plasma and filters out visible blue light. Recent studies suggest this filtering process serves to protect the retina from photic damage or other oxidative damage. Source Naturals Lutein is extracted from the marigold flower and purified by an exclusive patented process (U.S. Patent No. 5,382,714).