Abstract
Purpose: :
The question of whether macular pigment optical density (MPOD) changes as a function of age has been debated. Some studies show large declines with age (mostly those using Raman Spectroscopy as the basis for measurement), others showing no change or even increases in density (mostly those using heterochromatic flicker photometry,(HFP) or direct anatomical methods of measurement). In both instances, however, results largely from cross-sectional studies have been evaluated. This study assessed longitudinal changes in MP density measured over a decade.
Methods: :
Fourteen healthy older participants (mean current age = 69 ± 14 yrs.) were assessed. MPOD was measured with heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) using the standard 1-deg stimulus during a baseline visit and then during a ten-year follow-up visit (using the same instrument, stimuli, etc).
Results: :
MPOD at baseline (mean MPOD = 0.21 ± 0.17) was significantly lower (t = -4.115, p < .001) than MP measured ten years later (mean MPOD = 0.37 ± 0.20).
Conclusions: :
The MPOD of this sample increased significantly over the study period. This increase may have been due to the initial session which exposed these mostly naïve subjects to information regarding lutein and zeaxanthin.
Keywords: macular pigment • aging • aging: visual performance