Comparison of macular pigment optical density measured by autofluorescence and reflectometry: The LIMPIA study

Abstract

AbstractPurpose To compare macular pigment optical density (MPOD) measured by two techniques (autofluorescence, reflectometry) in healthy subjects at high risk for age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods The Limpia Study is a double‐blind, placebo controlled, prospective randomized clinical trial performed in 120 subjects with at least one parent affected by neovascular AMD. Subjects having used supplements containing lutein and/or zeaxanthin in the preceding year were not included. MPOD was measured using two methods: the two‐wavelength autofluorescence method with a modified scanning laser ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg Retinal AnalyzerResults At baseline, mean MPOD within 0.51°, measured with the modified HRA method, was 0.5 (standard deviation 0.2). Maximal MPOD, measured with Visucam, was 0.4 (standard deviation 0.1). Parameters from the modified HRA (optical density within 0.5°, 1°, 2° and 6°) and from the Visucam method (volume, area, mean and maximum optical density) were weakly correlated. The best correlations were observed for MPOD within 2° and 6° with volume from Visucam(r=0.21 and r=0.22, respectively), and mean MPOD from Visucam (r=0.21 and r=0.18).Conclusion The two methods propose different parameters to evaluate macular pigment, which overall correlated weakly in this population of middle‐aged healthy subjects at high risk for AMD. Further research is needed to characterize the differences between the methods and identify the best parameters and techniques to measure macular pigment. Commercial interest