Macular pigment optical density
| Macular pigment optical density | |
|---|---|
| Other names | MPOD |
| Retinal images showing Macular pigment optical density before and after Epiretinal membrane peeling | |
| Symptoms | Reduced contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity |
| Complications | Risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) |
| Causes | Low intake of carotenoids |
| Diagnostic method | Flicker photometry, fundus atofluorescence, reflectometry |
| Treatment | Dietary supplementation (lutein, zeaxanthin) |
Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is the concentration of pigment in the macula, the central region of the retina.[1][2] Macular pigment absorbs short-wavelength blue light and may reduce oxidative stress in the retina through its antioxidant properties.[3] Primarily two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, with smaller amounts of meso-zeaxanthin,[4][5] these pigments come from foods like green leafy vegetables and yellow or orange fruits and are deposited in the macula lutea, a retinal area responsible for high-acuity vision.[6][7] In research on visual function and ocular health, studies examine its association with conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal disorders.[8][9][10][11]
Range
[edit]Macular pigment optical density ranges from 0 to 1 optical density unit, averaging 0.35 in the United States.[12][13] The range is divided into three levels: low (0–0.21), mid-range (0.21–0.44), and high (0.45–1.0).[14] Higher MPOD levels are associated with improved visual performance and a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Several factors, including diet, age, and overall eye health, contribute to variations in MPOD levels.
Measurement method
[edit]MPOD is calculated through the use of a Macular Pigment Densitometer (MPD) to assess macular pigment optical density as a measure of retinal health. One unit is approximately equal to 0.025 ng macular pigment per mm² of retina.[15] Heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP) is a noninvasive technique that uses flickering light stimuli to the retina,[16] alternating between blue light at 465 nm and green light at 530 nm.[17] Blue light absorption by the macular pigment results in reduced perceived flicker,[18] which allows the determination of MPOD. Desktop-based devices, such as the MPS II, measure the retinal periphery and center in approximately 90 seconds per eye. Portable versions, such as the ZX Pro,[19] are hand-held devices with patient-oriented software.
Statistics by nation
[edit]South Korea
[edit]A 2020 study of the Korean population measured macular pigment optical density with the Macular Pigment Screener II (MPSII).[20] The study found that healthy individuals had an average MPOD of 0.69 ± 0.18, and those with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) had a lower average of 0.55 ± 0.17.[21] Across all participants, the mean MPOD was 0.59 ± 0.20, with variations observed between different groups. The research also identified a statistically significant decline in MPOD with increasing age, indicating a gradual reduction over time.[22]
References
[edit]- ^ "The importance of measuring macular pigment optical density". IDE-Vision.COM. 2017-07-25. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ Bernstein, Paul S.; Delori, François C.; Richer, Stuart; van Kuijk, Frederik J. M.; Wenzel, Adam J. (2010-03-31). "The value of measurement of macular carotenoid pigment optical densities and distributions in age-related macular degeneration and other retinal disorders". Vision Research. 50 (7): 716–728. doi:10.1016/j.visres.2009.10.014. ISSN 1878-5646. PMC 2840187. PMID 19854211.
- ^ Lima, Verônica Castro; Rosen, Richard B.; Farah, Michel (2016-08-15). "Macular pigment in retinal health and disease". International Journal of Retina and Vitreous. 2 (1): 19. doi:10.1186/s40942-016-0044-9. ISSN 2056-9920. PMC 5088450. PMID 27847637.
- ^ Beatty, Stephen; Nolan, John; Kavanagh, Heather; O'Donovan, Orla (2004-10-01). "Macular pigment optical density and its relationship with serum and dietary levels of lutein and zeaxanthin". Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. Highlight issue on Carotenoids. 430 (1): 70–76. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2004.03.015. ISSN 0003-9861.
- ^ "The Role of Macular Pigment Optical Density in Ocular Health". Eyes On Eyecare. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ Li, Xiang; Holt, Roberta R; Keen, Carl L; Morse, Lawrence S; Zivkovic, Angela M; Yiu, Glenn; Hackman, Robert M (2023-06-01). "Potential roles of dietary zeaxanthin and lutein in macular health and function". Nutrition Reviews. 81 (6): 670–683. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuac076. ISSN 0029-6643. PMC 11494239. PMID 36094616.
- ^ Eisenhauer, Bronwyn; Natoli, Sharon; Liew, Gerald; Flood, Victoria (2017-02-09). "Lutein and Zeaxanthin—Food Sources, Bioavailability and Dietary Variety in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Protection". Nutrients. 9 (2): 120. doi:10.3390/nu9020120. ISSN 2072-6643. PMC 5331551. PMID 28208784.
- ^ "Macular Pigment Optical Density in Macular Health and Visual Function". 1. 2012-08-05.
- ^ Nigalye, Archana; Katz, Raviv; Laíns, Inês; Pundlik, Shrinivas; Douglas, Vivian Paraskevi; Marmalidou, Anna; Kim, Janice; Kim, Ivana K; Miller, Joan; Vavvas, Demetrios; Husain, Deeba; Miller, John (2020-07-21). "Macular Pigment Optical Density in Age-related Macular Degeneration". Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 61 (9): PB00152. ISSN 1552-5783.
- ^ "Macular Pigment Density May Help Identify Intermediate AMD". ReviewOfOptometry.com. Retrieved 2025-03-31.
- ^ Rai, Bhim B.; Sabeti, Faran; van Kleef, Joshua P.; Carle, Corinne F.; Rohan, Emilie M. F.; Essex, Rohan W.; Barry, Richard C.; Maddess, Ted (2024-08-01). "Comparing 2-dimensional macular pigment optical density with objective and subjective perimetry and visual acuity in age-related macular degeneration". Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 262 (8): 2449–2459. doi:10.1007/s00417-024-06437-6. ISSN 1435-702X. PMC 11271426. PMID 38483610.
- ^ Hammond, Billy R., Jr.; Caruso–Avery, Mary (2000-05-01). "Macular Pigment Optical Density in a Southwestern Sample". Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 41 (6): 1492–1497. ISSN 1552-5783. PMID 10798668.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Macular Pigment Links to Eye and Brain Health". Egg Nutrition Center. 2024-04-08. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ sueq. "MPOD test – Macular Pigment Optical Density". South Coast Optometry. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
- ^ Yuan, Yu-Xuan; Wu, Hong-Yun; Yuan, Wen-Jin; Zhong, Yi-Lin; Xu, Zhe (2025). "Macular pigment optical density and measurement technology based on artificial intelligence: a narrative review". International Journal of Ophthalmology. 18 (6): 1152–1162. doi:10.18240/ijo.2025.06.23. ISSN 2222-3959. PMC 12120468. PMID 40534793.
- ^ de Kinkelder, R.; van der Veen, R. L. P.; Verbaak, F. D.; Faber, D. J.; van Leeuwen, T. G.; Berendschot, T. T. J. M. (2011). "Macular pigment optical density measurements: evaluation of a device using heterochromatic flicker photometry". Eye. 25 (1): 105–112. doi:10.1038/eye.2010.164. ISSN 1476-5454. PMC 3144644. PMID 21057522.
- ^ Bone, Richard A.; Landrum, John T. (2004-10-15). "Heterochromatic flicker photometry". Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 430 (2): 137–142. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2004.04.003. ISSN 0003-9861. PMID 15369810.
- ^ Huchzermeyer, Cord; Schlomberg, Juliane; Welge-Lüssen, Ulrich; Berendschot, Tos T. J. M.; Pokorny, Joel; Kremers, Jan (2014-10-29). "Macular Pigment Optical Density Measured by Heterochromatic Modulation Photometry". PLOS ONE. 9 (10) e110521. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...9k0521H. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0110521. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 4212909. PMID 25354049.
- ^ Davey, Pinakin Gunvant; Rosen, Richard B.; Park, Joshua J.; Spors, Frank; Gierhart, Dennis L. (2025). "Evaluation of a Portable Handheld Heterochromatic Flicker Photometer in Measuring Macular Pigment Optical Density". Diagnostics. 15 (4): 431. doi:10.3390/diagnostics15040431. PMC 11853980. PMID 40002582.
- ^ Hong, In Hwan; Jung, Woo Hyun; Lee, Jae Hyup; Chang, In Boem (2020-02-01). "Macular Pigment Optical Density in the Korean Population: a Cross Sectional Study". Journal of Korean Medical Science. 35 (5) e30. doi:10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e30. ISSN 1598-6357. PMC 7008070. PMID 32030919.
- ^ Hong, In Hwan; Jung, Woo Hyun; Lee, Jae Hyup; Chang, In Boem (2020-01-06). "Macular Pigment Optical Density in the Korean Population: a Cross Sectional Study". Journal of Korean Medical Science. 35 (5) e30. doi:10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e30. ISSN 1598-6357. PMC 7008070. PMID 32030919.
- ^ "Macular Pigment Optical Density in the Korean Population: a Cross Sectional Study". Korea Citation Index.