Macular pigment in the human retina: histological evaluation of localization and distribution

Abstract

Purpose Clinical investigations have demonstrated variation in both the peak optical density and the spatial distribution of macular pigment. To confirm these impressions histologically, the present study examined the distribution of macular pigment in the human retina. Materials and Methods The macular retina of 11 donor eyes of different ages (28-91years) were examined histologically on 100 lm vibratome sections directly, without further staining. Measurements were made in two dimensions: (1) adding the number of macular sections with visible macular pigment, and (2) direct measurement of the extension of macular pigment in the foveolar section, which visibly contained the most macular pigment. Results The measurements with two methods demonstrated good correlation. The macula demonstrated a variation in the spatial extension of the visible macular pigment between 200 and 900 lm diameter around the centre of the fovea, which was also found when direct measurements were taken. There was no correlation with the donor age. The main location of macular pigment was in the layer of the fibres of Henle in the fovea and in the inner nuclear layer at the parafoveal site. Conclusions Histologically, a wide variation of the spatial distribution of macular pigment was found that confirms clinical observations. The primary localization of human macular pigment is in the inner retinal layers.

Macular carotenoid supplementation in subjects with atypical spatial profiles of macular pigment

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Supplementation With Three Different Macular Carotenoid Formulations in Patients With Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…Investigators interested in exploring ways of preventing, delaying the onset, or retarding the progression of AMD have directed their attention toward the possible protective role of macular pigment (MP), a yellow-colored pigment that accumulates within the inner retinal layers at the macula 5 and is optically undetectable beyond 7°eccentricity. 6 Macular pigment is composed of three carotenoids, lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ).…”

Macular Pigment: Its Associations with Color Discrimination and Matching

“…The extent of macular pigmentation has recently been found to be related to the width of the foveal cup, as assessed by optical coherence tomography 3 . Since these pigments are located in the fibers of Henle at the foveola and in the inner nuclear layer beyond the foveola 4 , they act as a prereceptoral filter and are believed to contribute a variety of potentially beneficial properties for vision, including reduction of the effects of chromatic aberration 5 (though not supported by Engles et al 6 ,), improvement of spatial vision and contrast enhancement 7 , increased photopic increment sensitivity 8 , reduced glare sensitivity in some studies 9,10 but not others 11 , and increased critical flicker frequency 12 .…”