Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:To compare the Macular Pigment Density (MPD) profiles of Normal eyes based on age and gender. Methods:The study included 136 eyes (71 patients {35 males, 36 females}). MPD was measured with Free Viewing Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry (HFP) using test stimuli of 10min, 30min, 1deg, and 2deg eccentricity relative to the foveal center. For each stimulus, four to five measurements were taken. MPD was normalized to the MPD value obtained with a fifth stimulus corresponding to 7deg eccentricity. In addition, subjects were asked to complete a nutritional questionnaire. Results:Volunteers were divided into 10 groups according to age and gender: 15 - 19 yrs old, 20-29 yrs old, 30-39 yrs old, 40-49 yrs old, and 50 yrs old & over. At 10min, males in their 30s had significantly higher mean MPD than all other groups. In addition, at 30min, males in their 30s had the highest mean MPD which was significantly higher than all groups except females in their 40s and males in their 50s. MPD profiles for males in their teens, 20s, and 50s were not significantly different. Among females, those in their 40s had the highest mean MPD at 10min and at 30min, but it was only significantly higher than mean MPD for those in their teens and 50s. MPD profiles for females in their 20s, 30s, and 40s were not significantly different, and MPD profiles for females in their teens and 50s were not significantly different. Among all the groups there was minimal variation in mean MPD at 1deg and 2deg. Sixteen volunteers did not provide nutritional information of which 11 were adolescents. However, the information provided showed that males in their 50s consumed the most lutein (6.1mg/day), followed by teen males (3.0mg/day) and males in their 30s (2.9mg/day). The smallest amount was consumed by females in their 30s (0.8mg/day), followed by females in their 40s (1.5mg/day). Conclusion:In men, MPD appears to increase with increasing age until their 30s and then decreases to MPD values comparable to their 20s by the time they are 50 or older. In women, MPD appears to increase more gradually, peaking in their 40s, then decreasing to levels comparable to their late teens at age 50 and older. Moreover, men 50 and older appear to consume the most lutein, yet males in their 30s have higher MPD. Further studies and more subjects will be required to test the significance of these observations.
Keywords: 462 macular pigment • 309 aging • 554 retina