Macular pigment optical density in a Central European population

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Distribution in the Healthy Macula and Its Association with Various Demographic Factors Examined in Pseudophakic Eyes

The macular pigment consisting of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) protects photoreceptors via its antioxidative and barrier activities. This study aimed to determine L and Z distribution in the healthy macula and their association with various demographic factors. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was measured using fundus autofluorescence spectroscopy in 352 pseudophakic eyes with no fundus diseases. Pseudophakia was chosen to avoid the influence of cataract in the measurement of fundus autofluorescence. The mean patient age was 72.3 ± 8.6 years. MPOD was analyzed separately in three zones, i.e., A: a central area within a radius of 0.5°, mainly containing Z; B: a ring area with radii from 0.5° to 1.3°, containing Z and L; C: a ring area with radii from 1.3° to 9°, containing L. Multivariate analyses were performed with MPOD as the dependent variable and sex, supplement intake, smoking habits, glaucoma, diabetes, age, body mass index (BMI), skin carotenoid levels, retinal thickness, retinal volume, axial length as the independent variables. The mean total MPOD volume within 9° eccentricity was 20,121 ± 6293. Age was positively associated with MPOD in all zones. Supplement and BMI were positively and negatively associated with MPOD in zones B and C. Smoking was negatively associated with MPOD in zone A. This study revealed the standard MP values of aged Japanese, which resulted to be higher than the previously reported values in other races. Age was found to have a positive association with MP values. L in the outer foveola was affected by BMI and supplements, but Z in the foveola was not. The amount of Z in the Müller cell cone may not be changed easily by factors such as hunger and satiety in the context of preservation of homeostasis in the human body, but tobacco had a negative effect on Z.

From carotenoid intake to carotenoid blood and tissue concentrations - implications for dietary intake recommendations

There is uncertainty regarding carotenoid intake recommendations, because positive and negative health effects have been found or are correlated with carotenoid intake and tissue levels (including blood, adipose tissue, and the macula), depending on the type of study (epidemiological vs intervention), the dose (physiological vs supraphysiological) and the matrix (foods vs supplements, isolated or used in combination). All these factors, combined with interindividual response variations (eg, depending on age, sex, disease state, genetic makeup), make the relationship between carotenoid intake and their blood/tissue concentrations often unclear and highly variable. Although blood total carotenoid concentrations <1000 nmol/L have been related to increased chronic disease risk, no dietary reference intakes (DRIs) exist. Although high total plasma/serum carotenoid concentrations of up to 7500 nmol/L are achievable after supplementation, a plateauing effect for higher doses and prolonged intake is apparent. In this review and position paper, the current knowledge on carotenoids in serum/plasma and tissues and their relationship to dietary intake and health status is summarized with the aim of proposing suggestions for a "normal," safe, and desirable range of concentrations that presumably are beneficial for health. Existing recommendations are likewise evaluated and practical dietary suggestions are included.

Evaluation of Macular Pigment Optical Density in Healthy Eyes Based on Dual-Wavelength Autofluorescence Imaging in South Indian Population

Purpose

To estimate macular pigment optical density (MPOD) values across different age groups in the South Indian population across various spatial profiles using dual-wavelength autofluorescence.

Methods

Sixty eyes of 31 healthy subjects underwent MPOD measurement with Spectralis HRA+OCT. The average MPOD and macular pigment optical volume (MPOV) at 1°, 2°, and 6° radii, the mean MPOD in the classical Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid, and the spatial profiles of two different age groups across 12 plots covering the radial sectors were recorded.

Results

The mean age was 39.1 ± 12.7 years. The mean MPOD and MPOV values were 0.38 ± 0.11 and 787.95 ± 225.13 at 1° eccentricity, 0.23 ± 0.08 and 2000 ± 708.24 at 2° eccentricity, and 0.05 ± 0.02 and 4335 ± 2007.71 at 6° eccentricity, respectively. In the ETDRS grid, the mean MPOD was found to be highest in the central sector and lowest in the inferior peripheral ring. We also found that along the radial sectors the lower quadrants tended to have low MPOD as compared to the upper quadrants. Subjects 40 years of age or older had significantly higher averaged MPOD in certain areas (–15° to 15° and 75° to 105°) along the radial sectors than subjects less than 40 years of age.

Conclusions

This study establishes a reference value for future studies of diseased eyes in the South Indian population.

Translational Relevance

Our study is unique in that it reports MPOD among the South Indian population across different age groups, as well as the distribution of MPOD in all nine zones of the classical ETDRS grid and various spatial profiles covering the 30° radial sectors centered on the fovea.

Macular Pigment Optical Density Measured by a Single Wavelength Reflection Photometry with and without Mydriasis

PURPOSE

1. To evaluate the repeatability of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) measurements in non-mydriatic and mydriatic conditions with a single wavelength reflection photometry. 2. To compare the non-mydriatic measurement with the mydriatic measurement of MPOD values.

METHODS

Fifty-one healthy young subjects were recruited in this prospective study. MPOD parameters including maximum optical intensity (OD), mean OD, volume and area, were measured using a single 460-nm wavelength reflection method (Visucam 200, Carl Zeiss Meditec) twice both before and after pupil dilation. Paired t test, Pearson's correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were used to evaluate the agreement and correlation of MPOD parameters before and after mydriasis.

RESULTS

The differences of maximum OD, mean OD and volume between the two measurements without mydriasis was statistically significant for all parameters, but not significant between the two measurements with mydriasis or between non-mydriatic and mydriatic measures. The ICCs were higher for the two measurements with mydriasis (range: 0.687-0.840) than those without mydriasis (range: 0.448-0.695) or non-mydriatic and mydriatic measures (range: 0.473-0.769). The 95% limit of agreement (LOA) of measurements between the two measurements after mydriasis was the smallest among all the other comparisons. The coefficient of repeatability was lower for the measurements with mydriasis than those without mydriasis.

CONCLUSIONS

MPOD measurement by Visucam 200 with mydriasis has higher repeatability than the measurement without mydriasis. The non-mydriatic and mydriatic measures had less agreement compared to the two measure after mydriasis. Therefore, mydriasis is recommended.

Macular pigment optical density in a Brazilian sample

Background

To evaluate macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and to identify its determinants in a sample of Brazilian individuals.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study. One hundred three healthy individuals had both eyes photographed using a Visucam 500 digital fundus camera (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) in combination with the MPOD module. Four variables were obtained: maximum MPOD, mean MPOD, MPOD volume, and MPOD area. Demographic data and information on lifestyle habits were also collected.

Results

Mean MPOD was 0.14 density unit ± 0.05. MPOD was not influenced by gender, smoking history, or refractive error. MPOD was significantly higher among black individuals than among white and biracial individuals. There was a positive but low correlation between MPOD and age.

Conclusion

This study found MPOD values to be similar to those found in European samples but lower than other studies performed on Asian and Australian samples. This is the first data regarding MPOD in a South American Population.

Changes in spatial extent and peak double optical density of human macular pigment with age

The purpose of the present work was to estimate the changes in spatial distribution and optical density of macular pigment (MP) with age. A fundus imaging system with high spatial and spectral resolution was adapted to form an indirect ophthalmoscope. The double optical density at 490 nm of the MP as a function of the location in the retina was obtained for 33 healthy subjects (ages: 21-60 years). There was an increase in spatial extent and decrease in double optical density with age. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of MP showed central areas with irregular shapes and a tendency toward asymmetry.