Baseline characteristics of subjects enrolled in the trial of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation and its effect on macular pigment in albinism (LUVIA Study: Lutein for Vision in Albinism)

Abstract

Purpose : The randomized, prospective placebo-controlled LUVIA trial aims to investigate macular pigment (MP) distribution, effects of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual function, as well as structure-function correlations of visual performance and phenotypical features in patients with ocular and oculocutaneous albinism. Here, we describe the demographics, macular pigment optical density (MPOD) measurements and structural and functional visual parameters at study baseline.

Methods : Genetically confirmed patients with ocular or oculocutaneous albinism were enrolled from our clinic. MPOD was measured using the two-wavelength autoflourescence method with the MultiColor Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering). Macular volume (MV) and central subfield thickness (CST) were recorded from 20 degrees cube optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering). Fundus autoflourescence (FAF, 30 degrees, Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) was evaluated for areas of abnormally decreased or increased FAF. The mean sensitivity (MS), mean defect (MD) and number of scotoma points were assessed with the Nidek microperimeter 1 (MP-1) using a 10-2 test algorithm. FAF, OCT and MP-1 were graded by the Quantum Vision Reading Center. The study eyes, defined as the eye with the better ETDRS best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and reliable MPOD measurements, were evaluated.

Results : As of December 2015, 5 subjects have been enrolled. The median age at time of enrollment was 24 (range 16 to 67) years, 1 patient (20%) was female, 4 (80%) were Caucasian, 1 (20%) was African American. Median BCVA was 20/60 (range 20/43 to 20/71). The median MPOD was 0.06 (range 0 to 0.26). Median MV was 7.97 (range 5.69 to 8.54) mm³ and median CST was 304 (range 238 to 341) µm. FAF was abnormal in 80%. Fixation was stable in 20%, relatively unstable in 40% and unstable in 40%. Median MS of the MP-1 was 17 (range 13 to 19) dB, median number of scotoma points 1 (range 0 to 3) and median MD in dB -2.8 (range -6.6 to -0.8).

Conclusions : Despite the reduced BCVA and structural retinal abnormality, the retinal sensitivity is fairly preserved in our cohort of study eyes, possibly showing that there is a discrepancy between structure and function and/or a ceiling effect of the MP-1 exam.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.