The Analysis Of Relationship Between Macular Pigment Optical Density Early And Aged-related Macular Degeneration

Objective: Current ideas on the pathophysiology of Age-related Macular Degeneration may be compatible with the proposed function of lutein and zeaxanthin.Evidence suggests that increased levels of macular pigment are correlated with a decreased risk of Age-related Macular Degeneration.In recent years ,how to prevent and treat Age-related Macular Degeneration using macular pigmenet has already the focus of study.There is growing evidence that the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is related to oxidative damage. This makes macular pigment (MP) an interesting target for research, as antioxidative quality is related to MP. As studies have shown that MP density (MPD) can be increased by dietary supplementation,MP may also offer a therapeutic or preventive approach to AMD.We present results of measurements of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in patients with ADM at preliminary stages and in healthy subjects with a standard Heidelberg retina angiograph(HRA, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) using autofluorescence spectrometry,to find its relationship related to Age-related Macular Degeneration,aiming at conducting the prevention,dignosis. and therapy of AMD.Methods: A standard Heidelberg retina angiograph(HRA, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) was optimised for fundus reflectance and autofluorescence images at 488 nm . For autofluorescence imaging a band pass barrier filter with a short wavelength cut off at 510 nm was used. MPD was evaluated within two degrees around the foveal center using BI2000 Medical images analysis system. In this study we included 40 healthy subjects aged from 50–84 years and 30 patients aged from 50-84yesrs.Patients with dry AMD and healthy subjects who were referred to the outpatient department of the Shanxi Eye hosipital.Results: We examined 40 healthy subjects without ocular pathology and 30 patients with dry AMD (drusen,geographic atrophy). The mean relative MP in a 2°diameter test field, centered on the fovea, in old healthy subjects was 0.266147±0.0680392(DU). In subjects with dry AMD the mean MPD was 0.157853±0.1070645(DU).MPOD in the fovea was significantly lower in the patients with dry AMD than in old healthy subjects (P=0.000<0.05).There is minus correlation between MPOD and age in old healthy subjects(r=-0.351).But there is no correlation between sex and MPOD,acute visual and MPOD in old healthy subjects and dry AMD subjects.Conclusions: It is possible to quantify MPOD using a standard Heidelberg retina angiograph(HRA, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) in a clinical setting.Using the new instrument, we were able to detect differences in MPD between patients with dry AMD and old healthy subjects.Further studies are needed to evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of the method.Prospective longitudinal studies to verify the influence of MPOD on the development and progression of AMD are needed.The relationship of macular pigment and other eye diseases is unanswered question,demanding our further reaseach.