Macular pigment optical density in the Bosomtwi District, Ghana

Abstract

Purpose : Macular pigments possess antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and light filtering properties implicated in visual function, and protection against retinal diseases, yet their average levels have not been previously determined in the general Ghanaian population. This study was designed to evaluate macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and its associated factors in a Ghanaian sample.

Methods : One hundred and fifty-four (aged 12 -72 years) subjects MPOD were determined in the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) eye using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry. BCVA and Contrast sensitivity (CS) were assessed using LogMAR Early Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Study (EDRTS) and Peli Robson charts respectively. Anthropometric assessment was performed following standard procedures and dietary carotenoid intake evaluated using a 3-day 24-hour dietary recall. Demographic and health status characteristics were gathered with a structured questionnaire. Data were summarized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard error of means and associations between variables investigated with linear regression analyses at a significance level of p<0.05.

Results : The average MPOD at 0.5° and 1.0° retinal eccentricity were 0.22 ± 0.02 and 0.23 ± 0.01 density units whereas critical flicker frequency at the fovea and meso estimated at 17.31 ± 0.51 and 18.12 ± 0.36 Hertz respectively. MPOD was not influenced (p > 0.05) by age, sex, smoking, light exposure, body mass index, body fat, visceral fat and family history of eye diseases. Similarly, macular pigment was unrelated (p > 0.05) with BCVA, and CS.

Conclusions : Our results suggest lower average macular pigment levels than those obtained from previous investigations in Caucasians, Chinese, Europeans, and African descendants. Given the unsatisfactory mean MPOD levels, we recommend dietary interventional programs to help improve macular pigment levels in this sample.

This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.