[1] Meso-zeaxanthin has been identified in specific tissues of marine organisms[2] and in the macula lutea, also known as the "yellow spot" of the human retina.

Prior to this research, a publication from Khachick et al. (2002)[10] reported that liver from Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) and frog plasma contain meso-zeaxanthin.

A 2016 study comparing the carotenoid concentrations of commercially available food supplements on their label found that, while only two declared their inclusion of meso-zeaxanthin, it was present in several others as well.

The authors concluded that the presence of meso-zeaxanthin in the other formulations was likely due to it being less expensive than zeaxanthin, and it is hard to distinguish from one from the other via chemical analysis.

[12] Meso-zeaxanthin, lutein, and 3R,3′R-zeaxanthin are the main carotenoids in the macula lutea, found in a ratio of 1:1:1, and are collectively referred to as macular pigment (MP).

In 2013, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) reported a reduced risk of visual loss and a reduced risk of disease progression over 5 years in 4,200 participants with early or moderate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who were supplemented with a formulation containing the macular carotenoids and co-antioxidants.

[13] Studies have shown that the addition of meso-zeaxanthin to formulations used to increase MP and enhance visual function in diseased and healthy retinas has proven effective.

[15][16][17][18][19][20] Broiler chickens are yellow when they are fed with carotenoid-containing feed, as these carotenoids accumulate in the skin and subcutaneous fat of the animal.

For this reason, poultry producers add carotenoids (typically lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, and β-apo-8´-apocarotenal) to the feed to increase the attractiveness of the final product for the consumer, but also to support animal health.

[21] Therefore, several companies use marigold extract where a percentage of lutein has been converted into meso-zeaxanthin in order to supplement broilers and hens with both carotenoids.

[27] This research confirmed that meso-zeaxanthin was effectively absorbed into the serum, and MP density was increased significantly in the supplementation group.

The series of publications from these trials concluded, "Augmentation of the MP optical density across its spatial profile and enhancements in contrast sensitivity were best achieved after supplementation with a formulation containing high doses of meso-zeaxanthin in combination with lutein and zeaxanthin".

All subjects received the AREDS2-recommended formula, with or without added meso-zeaxanthin, and all showed a significant improvement in the primary outcome measure of contrast sensitivity when reading an eye-chart.