Abstract
Purpose::
To evaluate a new way of exploiting the technique of heterochromatic flickerphotometry to determine the macular pigment optical density (MPOD).
Methods::
The Macular Pigment Screener (called QuantifEYE in the USA) is designed to assess MPOD under clinical conditions. It employs a new technique for obtaining the minimum flicker point whereby observers press a button when they detect flicker. This contrasts with the more conventional approach of adjusting a luminance ratio until flicker is eliminated. Twenty-two healthy subjects, age 22-64 years, participated in the study. Measurements were repeated 5 times. Another series of 5 measurements were obtained in a subset of subjects after an interval of at least three days. Macular pigment was also measured by spectral fundus reflectance, and with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The latter used both reflectance maps and autofluorescence maps to obtain the spatial distribution of the macular pigment.
Results::
Measurements were successfully completed in all subjects. Mean MPOD on the Macular Pigment Screener was 0.41 ± 0.17, mean within subjects variation was 0.063 ± 0.028. Correlation between the Macular Pigment Screener and spectral fundus reflectometry was r = 0.85 (p<0.001).
Conclusions::
The Macular Pigment Screener provides fast, reliable, accurate MPOD data. It can be readily operated by non-professional staff under office/clinical conditions. The instrument holds great promise for large-scale epidemiological study of the macular pigment.
Keywords: macular pigment • age-related macular degeneration • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques