Abstract
Purpose :
Low macular pigment levels are a risk factor for Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The antioxidant properties of macular pigment are thought to reduce oxidative stress and limit inflammatory mediator effects involved in the pathogenesis of AMD. The purpose of this study was to compare macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in patients with early/intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to normal age-matched individuals. Repeatability in macular pigment measurements over one year were also determined.
Methods :
MPOD of forty-one individuals (18 AMD (age 76.39 ± 9.94) and 23 normal controls (age 73.74 ± 5.64, p = 0.16)) was measured with the QuantifEye MPS II at baseline and 1 year. All subjects had a complete eye exam (VA, fields, OCT, fundus photos). The logMAR visual acuities for the test eye were not significantly different between the groups (AMD = 0.046 ± 1.06, Control = 0.019 ± 0.089, p = 0.14). Severity of AMD was graded using the simplified AREDS scale (average = 2.8 ± 0.21) and normal controls did not have drusen within two-disc diameters of the fovea. A Bland-Altman analysis (bias, Limits of agreement (LOA)) was used to compare the baseline and 1 year measurements.
Results :
Estimated peripheral MPOD was lower in AMD patients (0.436 ± 0.176) compared to age-matched controls (0.515 ± 0.130) at baseline (p = 0.06). For AMD (Bias = 0.042, LOA ± 0.3554) and normal (Bias = 0.0109, LOA ± 0.1481) patients, the Bland-Altman analysis did not indicate a difference between the baseline and one year measurement. Paired two sample t-Test showed no significant difference between the baseline and one year measurements for AMD (p = 0.24) and normal (p = 0.32) patients.
Conclusions :
The macular pigment between the early/intermediate AMD and control patients approached a statistically significant level. The MPOD does not change over 1 year in early/intermediate AMD or normal patients. Further investigation considering other factors is needed to determine the role of macular pigment in AMD progression.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.