Perennial measurements of macular pigment optical density and serum levels of its constituent carotenoids.

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:This study was undertaken to assess serial month–to–month consistency of MP optical density and serum levels of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) in 4 healthy volunteers over a 12–month period. Methods:Four healthy subjects aged between 23 and 51 years volunteered to participate in this study. Both macular pigment 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 0.381 0.094 and 0.326 0.098 for left and right eyes, respectively. A pattern of significant seasonal changes in MP optical density was identified in 1 of the subjects. Their MP optical density rose from 0.37 to 0.625 and 0.391 to 0.607 for both left and right eye’s, with peaks and troughs in summer and winter respectively. Serum levels of L and Z await analysis. 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.

Keywords: age–related macular degeneration • carotenoids/carotenoid binding proteins • macular pigment