zeaxanthin and Wet-Macular-Degeneration

Lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to decrease the incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD); however, findings have been inconsistent. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin and AMD risk. Relevant studies were identified by searching five databases up to April 2010. Reference lists of articles were retrieved, and experts were contacted. Literature search, data extraction and study quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers and results were pooled quantitatively using meta-analysis methods. The potential sources of heterogeneity and publication bias were also estimated. The search yielded six longitudinal cohort studies. The pooled relative risk (RR) for early AMD, comparing the highest with the lowest category of lutein and zeaxanthin intake, was 0·96 (95 % CI 0·78, 1·17). Dietary intake of these carotenoids was significantly related with a reduction in risk of late AMD (RR 0·74; 95 % CI 0·57, 0·97); and a statistically significant inverse association was observed between lutein and zeaxanthin intake and neovascular AMD risk (RR 0·68; 95 % CI 0·51, 0·92). The results were essentially consistent among subgroups stratified by participant characteristics. The findings of the present meta-analysis indicate that dietary lutein and zeaxanthin is not significantly associated with a reduced risk of early AMD, whereas an increase in the intake of these carotenoids may be protective against late AMD. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these relationships.

Topics: Age of Onset; Aged; Diet; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Lutein; Macular Degeneration; Middle Aged; Risk; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

To examine whether the rate of geographic atrophy (GA) enlargement is influenced by subsequent exudative neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and hence, to explore indirectly whether nonexudative nAMD may slow GA enlargement.. Post hoc analysis of a controlled clinical trial cohort.. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 participants 50 to 85 years of age.. Baseline and annual stereoscopic color fundus photographs were evaluated for (1) GA presence and area and (2) exudative nAMD presence. Two cohorts were constructed: eyes with GA at study baseline (prevalent cohort) and eyes in which GA developed during follow-up (incident cohort). Mixed-model regression of the square root of GA area was performed according to the presence or absence of subsequent exudative nAMD.. Change over time in square root of GA area.. Of the 757 eyes in the incident GA cohort, over a mean follow-up of 2.3 years (standard deviation [SD], 1.2 years), 73 eyes (9.6%) demonstrated subsequent exudative nAMD. Geographic atrophy enlargement in these eyes was significantly slower (0.20 mm/year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.28 mm/year) compared with the other 684 eyes in which subsequent exudative nAMD did not develop (0.29 mm/year; 95% CI, 0.27-0.30 mm/year; P = 0.037). Of the 456 eyes in the prevalent GA cohort, over a mean follow-up of 4.1 years (SD, 1.4 years), 63 eyes (13.8%) demonstrated subsequent exudative nAMD. Geographic atrophy enlargement in these eyes was similar (0.31 mm/year; 95% CI, 0.24-0.37 mm/year) compared with the other 393 eyes in which subsequent exudative nAMD did not develop (0.28 mm/year; 95% CI, 0.26-0.29 mm/year; P = 0.37).. In eyes with recent GA, GA enlargement before the development of exudative nAMD seems slowed. This association was not observed in eyes with more long-standing GA, which have larger lesion sizes. Hence, perilesional nonexudative choroidal neovascular tissue (presumably present before the development of clinically apparent exudation) may slow enlargement of smaller GA lesions through improved perfusion. This hypothesis warrants further evaluation in prospective studies.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Diagnostic Imaging; Disease Progression; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Drug Therapy, Combination; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Geographic Atrophy; Humans; Lutein; Macula Lutea; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Wet Macular Degeneration; Zeaxanthins

To analyze best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).. Prospective cohort study of participants enrolled in a clinical trial of oral supplements and receiving anti-VEGF therapy in routine clinical practice.. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) participants (50-85 years of age) whose eyes met AREDS2 inclusion criteria at baseline (no late AMD, BCVA ≥20/100, no previous anti-VEGF injections) but received at least 1 anti-VEGF injection for incident neovascular AMD during follow-up.. Participants underwent refracted BCVA testing, ophthalmoscopic examination, and stereoscopic color fundus photography at baseline and annual study visits over 5 years. Self-reports of anti-VEGF injections (numbers, dates, and names of drug) were collected at baseline and annual study visits and during telephone calls every 6 months.. Primary outcome measures were mean refracted BCVA and proportions of eyes with BCVA of 20/40 or better and 20/200 or worse. An exploratory outcome measure was the mean number of self-reported anti-VEGF injections.. One thousand one hundred five eyes of 986 AREDS2 participants met the inclusion criteria; of these, 977 participants (99.1%) underwent at least 1 posttreatment visit. At the first and subsequent annual examinations after the first injection, mean refracted BCVAs were 68.0 letters (Snellen equivalent, 20/40), 66.1 letters, 64.7 letters, 63.2 letters, and 61.5 letters (Snellen equivalent, 20/60). Proportions of eyes with BCVA of 20/40 or better were 59.3%, 55.1%, 53.5%, 50.6%, and 49.7%, and those with BCVA of 20/200 or worse were 5.5%, 8.6%, 9.4%, 12.4%, and 14.4%. Mean annual numbers of self-reported anti-VEGF injections per eye were 2.9, 3.9, 3.3, 3.1, and 3.0.. Refracted BCVA data were obtained in a clinical trial environment but were related to anti-VEGF treatment administered in normal clinical practice. Visual outcomes declined slowly with increased follow-up time: mean BCVA decreased by approximately 1.5 to 2 letters per year. At 5 years, half of eyes achieved BCVA of 20/40 or better, but approximately one sixth showed BCVA of 20/200 or worse. These data may be useful in assessing the long-term effects of anti-VEGF therapy.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Choroidal Neovascularization; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Lutein; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Visual Acuity; Wet Macular Degeneration; Zeaxanthins

Nutritional uptake of lutein, zeaxanthin, and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may increase macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and thereby protect against the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).. To estimate the efficiency of dietary supplementation containing lutein, zeaxanthin, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins to increase the density of macular pigment in first-generation offspring of parents with neovascular AMD.. This study was a randomized clinical trial (Lutein Influence on Macula of Persons Issued From AMD Parents [LIMPIA]) with a 6-month treatment period, followed by a 6-month follow-up period. Analyses were based on the intent-to-treat principle. The setting was 2 university hospitals in France (at Bordeaux and Dijon) from January 2011 (first participant first visit) to February 2013 (last participant last visit). The analysis was conducted from January to November 2016. Participants were 120 individuals free of any retinal ocular disease. They were first-generation offspring of parents with neovascular AMD.. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 2 daily dietary supplementation capsules or placebo for 6 months.. The primary assessment criterion was the evolution of MPOD after 6 months of supplementation (value of both eligible eyes) measured using the modified MPD-Visucam 200 (Carl Zeiss Meditec) and the modified Heidelberg Retina Angiograph (Heidelberg Engineering) (HRA) at 0.98° eccentricity. The statistical analysis was adjusted for hospital and for risk factors.. Overall, 120 participants (60 in each group) were included, and 239 eyes were analyzed (119 in the lutein plus zeaxanthin [L + Z] group and 120 in the placebo group). Their mean (SD) age was 56.7 (6.6) years, and 71.7% (n = 86) were female. A statistically significant increase in plasma lutein and zeaxanthin was shown in the L + Z group after 3 months and 6 months of treatment compared with the placebo group. However, the difference between groups in the evolution of MPOD measured by HRA 0.98° eccentricity between 6 months and baseline was 0.036 (95% CI, -0.037 to 0.110) (P = .33).. Among first-generation offspring of parents with neovascular AMD in the LIMPIA trial, MPOD as measured with the modified HRA and the MPD-Visucam was not modified after 6 months of lutein and zeaxanthin dietary supplementation despite plasma levels showing continuous exposure to lutein and zeaxanthin. Further research is necessary to understand the mechanism of absorption and metabolism of these nutrients in the macula, the best way to measure MPOD, and the clinical benefit for the patients.. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01269697.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lutein; Macula Lutea; Macular Pigment; Male; Middle Aged; Ophthalmoscopy; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity; Vitamins; Wet Macular Degeneration; Zeaxanthins

To compare rates of peripheral retinal changes in Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) participants with at least intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with control subjects without intermediate age-related changes (large drusen).. Cross-sectional evaluation of clinic-based patients enrolled in AREDS2 and a prospective study.. Participants from prospective studies.. The 200° pseudocolor and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were captured on the Optos 200 Tx Ultrawide-field device (Optos, Dunfermline, Scotland) by centering on the fovea and then steering superiorly and inferiorly. The montaged images were graded at a reading center with the images divided into 3 zones (zone 1 [posterior pole], zone 2 [midperiphery], and zone 3 [far periphery]) to document the presence of peripheral lesions.. Peripheral retinal lesions: drusen, hypopigmentary/hyperpigmentary changes, reticular pseudodrusen, senile reticular pigmentary changes, cobblestone degeneration, and FAF abnormalities.. A total of 484 (951 eyes) AREDS2 participants with AMD (cases) and 89 (163 eyes) controls without AMD had gradable color and FAF images. In zones 2 and 3, neovascularization and geographic atrophy (GA) were present, ranging from 0.4% to 6% in eyes of cases, respectively, and GA was present in 1% of eyes of controls. Drusen were detected in 97%, 78%, and 64% of eyes of cases and 48%, 21%, and 9% of eyes of controls in zones 2 and 3 superior and 3 inferior, respectively (P < 0.001 for all). Peripheral reticular pseudodrusen were seen in 15%. Senile reticular pigmentary change was the predominant peripheral change seen in 48% of cases and 16% of controls in zone 2 (P < 0.001). Nonreticular pigment changes were less frequent in the periphery than in the posterior pole (46% vs. 76%) and negligible in controls.. Peripheral retinal changes are more prevalent in eyes with AMD than in control eyes. Drusen are seen in a majority of eyes with AMD in both the mid and far periphery, whereas pigment changes and features of advanced AMD are less frequent. Age-related macular degeneration may be more than a "macular" condition but one that involves the entire retina. Future longitudinal studies of peripheral changes in AMD and their impact on visual function may contribute to understanding AMD pathogenesis.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Geographic Atrophy; Humans; Lutein; Male; Middle Aged; Optical Imaging; Prospective Studies; Retina; Retinal Drusen; Retinal Pigment Epithelium; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Wet Macular Degeneration; Zeaxanthins

In numerous epidemiological studies, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been associated with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Beyond their structural, functional and neuroprotective roles, omega-3 PUFAs may favour the retinal accumulation of lutein and zeaxanthin and thus increase macular pigment optical density (MPOD). We examined the associations of MPOD with plasma omega-3 PUFAs in subjects with family history of AMD.. The Limpia study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective randomized clinical trial performed in 120 subjects. Subjects with at least one parent treated for neovascular AMD, aged 40-70, with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) >20/25, free of late AMD and other major eye conditions and with no use of supplement containing lutein or zeaxanthin the preceding year were recruited in Bordeaux and Dijon, France. At baseline, MPOD within 1° of eccentricity was measured by modified Heidelberg retinal analyser (Heidelberg, Germany) and plasma omega-3 PUFAs by gas chromatography. Medical history and lifestyle data were collected from a standardized questionnaire. Associations of MPOD with plasma omega-3 PUFAs were assessed at the baseline examination, using mixed linear models adjusted for age, gender, centre, body mass index, smoking, plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lutein+zeaxanthin.. After multivariate adjustment, high MPOD was significantly associated with higher level of plasma docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) (β = 0.029, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.055; p = 0.03). Plasma alpha linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were not significantly associated with MPOD.. In the Limpia study, high MPOD within 1° was significantly associated with higher plasma levels of omega-3 DPA.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers; Chromatography, Gas; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lutein; Macular Pigment; Male; Middle Aged; Pedigree; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Wet Macular Degeneration; Zeaxanthins

To evaluate the association of statin use with progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).. Preplanned, prospective cohort study within a controlled clinical trial of oral supplementation for age-related eye diseases.. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) participants, aged 50 to 85 years.. Factors, including age, gender, smoking status, aspirin use, and history of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, angina, and stroke-all known to be associated with statin use-were included in a logistic regression model to estimate propensity scores for each participant. Age-adjusted proportional hazards regression models, with and without propensity score matching, were performed to evaluate the association of statin use with progression to late AMD. Analyses adjusting for the competing risk of death were also performed.. Baseline and annual stereoscopic fundus photographs were assessed centrally by masked graders for the development of late AMD, either neovascular AMD or geographic atrophy (GA).. Of the 3791 participants (2462 with bilateral large drusen and 1329 with unilateral late AMD at baseline), 1659 (43.8%) were statin users. The overall analysis, with no matching of propensity scores and no adjustment for death as a competing risk, showed that statin use was not associated with progression to late AMD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-1.41; P = 0.56). When matched for propensity scores and adjusted for death as a competing risk, the result was not statistically significant (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.55-1.20; P = 0.29). Furthermore, subgroup analyses of persons with or without late AMD at baseline and the various components of late AMD (neovascular AMD, central GA, or any GA) also showed no statistically significant association of statin use with progression to AMD.. Statin use was not statistically significantly associated with progression to late AMD in the AREDS2 participants, and these findings are consistent with findings in the majority of previous studies. Statins have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, but our data do not provide evidence of a beneficial effect on slowing AMD progression.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Disease Progression; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Geographic Atrophy; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Incidence; Lutein; Male; Middle Aged; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Visual Acuity; Wet Macular Degeneration; Zeaxanthins

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) formulation for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) contains vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and zinc with copper. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) assessed the value of substituting lutein/zeaxanthin in the AREDS formulation because of the demonstrated risk for lung cancer from beta carotene in smokers and former smokers and because lutein and zeaxanthin are important components in the retina.. To further examine the effect of lutein/zeaxanthin supplementation on progression to late AMD.. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 is a multicenter, double-masked randomized trial of 4203 participants, aged 50 to 85 years, at risk for developing late AMD; 66% of patients had bilateral large drusen and 34% had large drusen and late AMD in 1 eye.. In addition to taking the original or a variation of the AREDS supplement, participants were randomly assigned in a factorial design to 1 of the following 4 groups: placebo; lutein/zeaxanthin, 10 mg/2 mg; omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty 3 acids, 1.0 g; or the combination.. S Documented development of late AMD by central, masked grading of annual retinal photographs or by treatment history. RESULTS In exploratory analysis of lutein/zeaxanthin vs no lutein/zeaxanthin, the hazard ratio of the development of late AMD was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.82-0.99; P = .04). Exploratory analyses of direct comparison of lutein/zeaxanthin vs beta carotene showed hazard ratios of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.69-0.96; P = .02) for development of late AMD, 0.78 (95% CI, 0.64-0.94; P = .01) for development of neovascular AMD, and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.70-1.26; P = .67) for development of central geographic atrophy. In analyses restricted to eyes with bilateral large drusen at baseline, the direct comparison of lutein/zeaxanthin vs beta carotene showed hazard ratios of 0.76 (95% CI, 0.61-0.96; P = .02) for progression to late AMD, 0.65 (95% CI, 0.49-0.85; P = .002) for neovascular AMD, and 0.98 (95% CI, 0.69-1.39; P = .91) for central geographic atrophy.. The totality of evidence on beneficial and adverse effects from AREDS2 and other studies suggests that lutein/zeaxanthin could be more appropriate than beta carotene in the AREDS-type supplements.. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00345176.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; beta Carotene; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Disease Progression; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Geographic Atrophy; Humans; Lutein; Male; Middle Aged; Retinal Drusen; Trace Elements; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity; Vitamins; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Topics: Administration, Oral; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Geographic Atrophy; Gluconates; Humans; Lutein; Middle Aged; Trace Elements; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity; Vitamin E; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins; Zinc Oxide

To estimate the usefulness of preferential hyperacuity perimetry (PHP) in detecting conversion of early to late age-related macular degeneration in the Carotenoids and co-antioxidants in patients with Age-Related Maculopathy, a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial.. This was a nested case control study within the Carotenoids and co-antioxidants in patients with Age-Related Maculopathy (CARMA) clinical trial and included all participants enrolled in a single center (n = 200). Data are from participants who progressed to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) during time on study, Group 1 (n = 10) before the use of PHP and Group 2 (n = 10) during use of PHP. We also randomly selected 21 other participants (Group 3) who did not progress to nvAMD during time on study as a control group. Change in best-corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity and size of neovascular lesion at detection of conversion to nvAMD in Groups 1 and 2.. At detection of nvAMD, mean best-corrected visual acuity in Group 1 was 57.5 letters versus 67.4 in Group 2. In Group 1, the change in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline to detection of nvAMD was twice that of Group 2 (21.6 ± 9.0 versus 11.9 ± 10.7) with a mean difference of 9.7 letters (95% confidence interval, 0.41 to 19.0, P = 0.04, independent-samples t-test). The size of the neovascular lesion at detection was 3.06 mm in Group 1 versus 0.89 mm in Group 2 (P = 0.02). Two thirds of the participants in Group 2 were asymptomatic at detection of nvAMD compared with one fifth in Group 1. Preferential hyperacuity perimetry distortion maps were abnormal in 9 of 10 eyes in Group 2, which were confirmed by optical coherence tomography. Of the 21 eyes in Group 3, PHP maps were normal in 18 and abnormal in 3.. Preferential hyperacuity perimetry detected abnormalities in central visual function with high reliability. Eyes with nvAMD lesions detected by PHP had smaller lesions and better function when compared with the group before the introduction of PHP. The false-negative rate was <10% on PHP. The PHP distortion map was helpful in alerting clinicians to the presence of subclinical nvAMD.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Case-Control Studies; Double-Blind Method; False Negative Reactions; Humans; Lutein; Predictive Value of Tests; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Vision Disorders; Visual Acuity; Visual Field Tests; Vitamin E; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins; Zinc

Topics: Female; Humans; Lutein; Male; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Carotenoids; Dietary Supplements; Drug Therapy, Combination; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Humans; Lutein; Male; Middle Aged; Multicenter Studies as Topic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

To assess the characteristics of patients with wet AMD and low intake of lutein and zeaxanthin in our population.. A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with active wet AMD. A full blood count, a lipid and liver profile, a dietary interview (24-hour recall), and an anthropometric study were performed. Lutein-zeaxanthin (LZ) intake results split the patents in two groups.Group 1 ("sufficient" intake): patients with ≥1,400 mg/day intake in women and 1,700 mg/day in men (2/3 of the average daily intake in a normal population). Group 2: patients with daily intakes below that of group 1. A descriptive and comparative statistical study was performed.. Fifty-two patients with a mean age of 78.9 years. Group 1: eleven patients (21% of the sample). Group 2: forty-one patients. The subjects with adequate intake of LZ had higher a body mass index and waist circumference. Between 70-80% of patients in group 1 had inadequate intake of vitamin A, C and E and zinc.. Seventy-nine per cent of the patients with wet AMD have a deficient daily intake in lutein-zeaxanthin. The population with adequate intake is associated with an increased body mass index and waist circumference, and in addition, most of them have an insufficient intake of vitamin A, C, E and zinc.

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; Cardiovascular Diseases; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Diet Records; Diet, Mediterranean; Dyslipidemias; Female; Humans; Lutein; Male; Micronutrients; Obesity; Prospective Studies; Spain; Vitamins; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins; Zinc

To estimate the value of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in adult south Indian population with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).. A total of 33 patients with wet AMD and 29 age-matched controls >50 years of age underwent MPOD measurement with the macular densitometer. The patients were also tested for their dietary intake of carotenoids, smoking history, and lifetime UV exposure.. The mean MPOD values in the Indian population with wet AMD was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.18-0.29) vs control was 0.43 (95% CI: 0.37-0.49), P<0.0001, at 0.5° eccentricity. Ex-smokers had a lower MPOD than non-smokers (0.16 (0.09-0.23) vs 0.28 (0.22-0.34), P=0.026) and the lowest level of carotenoids intake had 48% lower MPOD than the highest level (0.14 (0.08-0.21) vs 0.33 (0.24-0.43), P=0.012). There was no significant age-related decline or gender variation in MPOD.. This study establishes the MPOD in adult Indian population with wet AMD, with a lack of macular pigment in association with wet AMD.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Densitometry; Diet; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; India; Lutein; Male; Middle Aged; Retinal Pigments; Surveys and Questionnaires; Visual Acuity; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

To compare the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) of patients with unilateral wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with the MPOD of bilateral dry AMD patients and healthy elderly individuals.. The MPOD of 34 patients with unilateral wet AMD was measured in their fellow eye that had the dry form of the disease (study group). The MPOD of the study group was compared with the MPOD of 33 patients with bilateral dry AMD (patients' control group) and 35 elderly subjects without any signs of retinal disease (control group). None of the subjects was under carotenoid supplementation. The MPOD was measured with Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry [QuantifEYE™- MPS 9000 (ZeaVision(©))]. The statistical package SPSS v 17.0 was used for the analysis.. The overall mean MPOD was 0.52 (SD 0.15). Patients with unilateral wet AMD have significantly higher levels of MPOD in their fellow eye compared with patients with bilateral dry AMD (0.58 versus 0.48, p = 0.026). Mean MPOD of patients with bilateral dry AMD does not differ significantly from that of healthy elderly subjects (0.48 versus 0.50, p = 0.865). In this population sample, no correlation with age was observed, while women have slightly but significantly higher levels of MPOD (0.55 versus 0.49, p = 0.029).. In the present study, the mean MPOD at the fellow eye of patients with unilateral wet AMD was found to be significantly higher than that of patients with bilateral dry AMD, while no other significant difference emerged between groups. Further investigation is demanded to clarify the role of macular pigment in AMD progression.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Disease Progression; Female; Geographic Atrophy; Humans; Intraocular Pressure; Lutein; Male; Middle Aged; Photometry; Retinal Pigments; Visual Acuity; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins