Comparison of macular pigment optical density in patients with dry and wet age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Aim:The aim of the study was to evaluate the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) levels in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), dry AMD, and also in healthy controls.Settings and Design:This study was conducted at Department of Ophthalmology, and the study design was a prospective study.Patients and Methods:Forty-eight patients with wet AMD, 51 patients with dry AMD, and 50 controls were included in the study. All patients were naive to both previous lutein or zeaxanthin administration and any previous intravitreal injections. Fundus reflectance (VISUCAM 500, reflectance of a single 460 nm wavelength) was used to measure the MPOD levels. Three groups were compared regarding age, gender, serum lutein, and zeaxanthin concentrations as well as MPOD levels.Results:Serum lutein and zeaxanthin levels were significantly higher in control group when compared with wet AMD (Group 1) and dry AMD (Group 2) (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Mean MPOD was found to be similar in all of the three study subgroups (P = 0.630). However, maximum MPOD was significantly higher in control group when compared with Group 1 and 2 (P = 0.003). There was no correlation between serum lutein or zeaxanthin concentrations and mean MPOD levels (P = 0.815, r = 0.014 and P = 0.461, r = 0.043, respectively), but there was a weak correlation between serum zeaxanthin concentration and maximum MPOD level (P = 0.042, r = 0.124). Maximum MPOD level was found to be correlated with the level of AMD (Group 1, 2, and 3; r = 0.184, P = 0.041).Conclusion:Maximum MPOD level was found to be lower in patients with AMD when compared with control cases. Mean MPOD and maximum MPOD levels were similar in wet and dry AMD Groups. These results can be applied clinically keeping in mind that MPOD measurements with one wavelength reflectometry may not be completely reliable.

Assessment of macular pigment optical density using fundus reflectometry in diabetic patients

“…We did not find significant relationships between MPOD and age in our patients, a finding that is in agreement with the previous studies,[13] although a small age-dependent decline has also been reported. [1920]…”

“…Since the MP is entirely of dietary origin, supplementation with lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin may reduce the risk of macular degeneration. [613] A positive association was noted between MPOD levels, central foveal thickness and higher intake of foods containing carotenoids. [12] Akuffo et al .…”

Haidinger’s brushes elicited at varying degrees of polarization rapidly and easily assesses total macular pigmentation

“…The macula benefits from the ability of MPs to quench reactive oxygen species generated photochemically, metabolically, and arriving as toxins from poor diet or other insults such as smoking [2,10]. Low levels of MPs have therefore been implicated in long-term accumulation of photochemical damage [12] and with increased likelihood of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. A method of assessing macular pigment density (MPD) that is suitable for mass screening could provide a valuable tool for informing people of their natural levels of protection so that they can be empowered to take preventative actions to further protect their eyes from violet/blue light and reduce other risk factors including smoking [20,21] and obesity [22,23].…”

Evaluation of Macular Pigment Optical Density in Eyes with Hyperopic Anisometropic Amblyopia Using Fundus Reflectometry

“…On the contrary, Westrup et al ( 35 ) reported a negative correlation between the juxtafoveal MPOD and retinal thickness. According to present knowledge, the impact of MPOD over retina thickness has still remained controversial ( 32 - 38 ).…”

“…Greater MPOD may protect retinal neurons against dairy stress and improve connections between retinal neurons. Recently, the relationship between age-related macular degeneration and MPs has mostly been studied ( 14 , 38 - 41 ). However, there is no study investigating the density of MPs in amblyopic eyes.…”