April 2014
Volume 55, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2014
The effect of Omega-3 status on contrast sensitivity in healthy middle-aged Norwegians
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Terese Olsen
    Optometry and Visual Science, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Kongsberg, Norway
  • Trine Langaas
    Optometry and Visual Science, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Kongsberg, Norway
  • Peter J Bex
    Department of Ophthalmology, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA
  • Stuart J Gilson
    Optometry and Visual Science, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Kongsberg, Norway
  • Rigmor Baraas
    Optometry and Visual Science, Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Kongsberg, Norway
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships Terese Olsen, None; Trine Langaas, None; Peter Bex, None; Stuart Gilson, None; Rigmor Baraas, None
  • Footnotes
    Support None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2014, Vol.55, 765. doi:
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      Terese Olsen, Trine Langaas, Peter J Bex, Stuart J Gilson, Rigmor Baraas; The effect of Omega-3 status on contrast sensitivity in healthy middle-aged Norwegians. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2014;55(13):765.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between contrast sensitivity and HS-Omega-3 Index in healthy middle-aged Norwegians.

Methods: Thirty-nine male and female subjects aged 43-50 years were included in the study. Subjects were healthy with no known ocular abnormalities. Subjects were corrected to best monocular logMAR letter acuity with natural pupils at 3 m, then given the appropriate near addition for 60 cm. Monocular letter contrast sensitivity function (CSF) was measured with the quick CSF method (Dorr, et al., IOVS, 2013;54:7266-7273) on a handheld device (iPad) at 60 cm. Sloan letters were digitally filtered with a log cosine with a peak frequency of 4 cycles per letter and one octave bandwidth. Different metrics were calculated: (1) the area under the log CSF (AULCSF), which provides a global contrast sensitivity measure, (2) CSF acuity, which defines the spatial frequency at which detection threshold was at 50%, (3) and sensitivity at six spatial frequencies (1, 1.5, 3, 16, 12 and 18.5 cpd). HS-Omega-3 fatty acid index was quantified by measuring the amount of EPA and DHA in whole blood (dried blood spot) with a test from OmegaQuant Health Diagnostic Laboratory Inc. (Sioux Falls, SD, USA). A drop of blood (finger prick) was collected on anti-oxidant treated filter. Results were analyzed and reported by the manufacturer.

Results: Average AULCSF was 1.9 ±0.2 and average CSF acuity was 24.5 ±6.4. There was no difference between males and females. There was no correlation between AULCSF and age or HS-omega-3 index, CSF acuity and age or HS-omega-3 index. Average HS-Omega-3 index was 7.6±1.9 with no difference between males and females. There was a significant correlation between sensitivity at low spatial frequencies (1, 1.5 and 3 cpd) and HS-omega-3 index (Persons r = 0.4, 0.39, 0.37, p <0.002)

Conclusions: DHA is found in very high concentrations in the phospholipids of the photoreceptor outer segment disk membrane believed to be important for metabolic activity and visual function. The results demonstrate that the level of DHA affects visual function, especially contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequencies.

Keywords: 478 contrast sensitivity • 618 nutritional factors • 653 presbyopia  
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