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Macular response to a carotenoid supplement in healthy eyes
Author(s) -
MARQUINA I,
BRAUTASET R,
NILSSON M
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2014.1666.x
Subject(s) - zeaxanthin , lutein , macular degeneration , medicine , optical density , ophthalmology , carotenoid , food science , biology
Purpose Reduced macular pigment (MP) density is related to an increased risk of developing age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). The aim of this study was to measure the macular response to a MP supplement by measuring macular pigment optical density (MPOD) before and after consumption. Methods Fifty‐one healthy subjects (age 18‐62 years) participated in the study and were divided in two groups, one control group and one supplementary group. MPOD values were measured using heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) at baseline and after 90 days of supplementation with the dietary supplement MacuShield® (10 mg lutein, 10 mg meso‐zeaxanthin and 2 mg zeaxanthin). Results Mean MPOD values did not change significantly in any of the groups. A correlation between low MPOD values at baseline and a larger increase of MPOD values after supplementation was found in the supplementary group (r = ‐0.52, p = 0.008). Increased MPOD values also correlated with increasing age (r = 0.40, p = 0.0454). Conclusion The results of the present study indicate that older subjects with low MPOD values increase their MPOD values after supplementation. As increased age and low MPOD values increase the risk of developing AMD, it might be beneficial for these individuals to consume macular pigments to reduce the risk of developing AMD.