Macular pigment density in age-related maculopathy

Purpose: Macular pigment ( MP) is believed to have a protective role in the development and progression of age-related maculopathy ( ARM). We present results of measurements of macular pigment density (MPD) in patients with ARM at different stages with a modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (HRA, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). Method: ARM patients were categorized into four groups. Staging depended upon the size of drusen, geographic atrophy, and loss of visual acuity due to ARMD in the fellow eye; 1: drusen size < 125 mu m, 2: drusen size > 125 mu m, 3: drusen size < 125 mu m+ ARMD in fellow eye, and 4: drusen size > 125 mu m+ ARMD in fellow eye. We took autofluorescence images at 488 nm and 514 nm with a modified HRA. MP density was evaluated within 2 degrees around the center of the fovea. In this study, we included 146 patients with ARM: 26 in group 1, 19 in group 2, 80 in group 3, and 21 in group 4. Results: The mean MPD of the different stages of ARM was: in group 1, 0.233+/-0.091 DU; group 2, 0.218+/-0.102 density units ( DU); group 3, 0.252+/-0.085 DU; and group 4, 0.208+/-0.100 DU. Statistical analysis ( Kruskal - Wallis test) showed no differences between groups. Conclusions: Recent studies in ARM did not result in significant differences of MPD between the various stages of ARM. Further longitudinal studies are requested to compare the incidence of ARMD in eyes with high and low MPD in order to provide definite evidence of the influence of MPD on the progression of ARMD.