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Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol (2014) 252:417421 DOI 10.1007/s00417-013-2554-6
BASIC SCIENCE
The use of heterochromatic flicker photometry to determine macular pigment optical density in a healthy Australian population
Robin G. Abell & Alex W. Hewitt & Marko Andric &
Penelope L. Allen & Nitin Verma
Received: 16 October 2013 /Revised: 3 December 2013 /Accepted: 16 December 2013 /Published online: 5 January 2014 # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014
AbstractPurpose To establish the normal macular pigment density (MPOD) in a healthy adult Australian sample using heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP).
Methods Macular pigment density was measured using heterochromatic flicker photometry in a total of 201 subjects ranging in age from 21 to 84 years with healthy macula. Fifty-seven of the healthy subjects also completed a food-frequency dietary questionnaire. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured using logMAR, chart and macular morphological profiles were assessed using high-resolution integrated Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Results The average MPOD value was 0.410.20 (range0.070.79). There was no statistically significant difference between values in the left and right eye, with good interocular agreement (0.41 vs 0.40, r=0.893, p<0.01). Age significantly predicted MPOD score (R2=0.07, p<0.05). A subgroup analysis of patients who completed the dietary questionnaire revealed a close correlation between higher diet scores and higher MPOD (r=0.720 p=0.031). There was no effect of smoking, gender, or iris colour on MPOD values. There was no significant correlation between BCVA, macular OCT profiles, and MPOD.
Conclusion Given that MPOD values are potentially affected by geographical variation, we have determined a mean MPOD value for healthy subjects in a population south of the equator, providing a reference point for future studies on Caucasian samples.
Keywords Macular pigment optical density .
Heterochromatic flicker photometry
Introduction
Macular pigment refers to the accumulation of carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin at the macula, and was first described by Buzzi in 1782 [13]. Both lutein and zeaxanthin are of dietary origin, and their functions have stimulated interest due to their potential role in prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [1, 2, 4, 5]. Because macular pigment is a short-wavelength light filter and powerful antioxidant, it may protect against oxidative stress implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of AMD [1, 2, 68]. In addition, MP is thought to contribute to visual performance, via its potential to...