%0 Journal Article
%A Beatty, S.
%A Donovan, O. O'
%A Neelam, K.
%A Rathaille, M. O'
%A Godinho, M.
%A Nolan, J.
%T  Perennial Measurements of Macular Pigment Optical Density and Serum Levels of Its Constituent Carotenoids 
%B Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
%D 2005
%J Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
%V 46
%N 13
%P 1762-1762
%@ 1552-5783
%X     Purpose:  This study was undertaken to assess serial month–to–month consistency of macular pigment (MP) optical density and serum levels of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) in 4 healthy volunteers over a 24–month period.  Methods:  Four healthy subjects aged between 23 and 51 years volunteered to participate in this study. Both MP optical density (measured psychophysically using heterochromatic flicker photometry), and serum levels of L and Z (quantified using HPLC), were obtained on a monthly basis.  Results:  Mean MP optical density was 0.363 +/– 0.06 and 0.372 +/– 0.066 for right and left eyes, respectively. Our results suggest that MP optical density is subject to significant seasonal variation in some subjects. Whether such perennial variability is related to variation in dietary intake of L and Z, or to the variability in exposure to pro–oxidants such as light exposure, warrants further studies. Our results also suggest that the possibility of seasonal variation in MP optical density should be factored into the epidemiological studies investigating the putative protective role of this pigment for age–related macular degeneration.  Conclusions:  The results suggest that macular pigment levels may vary in some subjects on a seasonal basis. Further study is required to assess the implications of this finding in terms of recommendations for supplementation.    
%[ 2/27/2021