Blue light causes photo-oxidative retinal injury and macular pigment (MP), with lutein, zeaxanthin and mesozeaxanthin as the main components, as a filter that protects the macula from this damage. Previous studies indicated that low levels of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) are a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The authors sought to evaluate MPOD level in first-degree relatives of patients with AMD, looking at the possibility of genetic transmission. One hundred and twenty-eight healthy subjects who were first-degree relatives of AMD patients were included in group 1, and 74 healthy subjects were the control group, or group 2. The results of this study show that MPOD values of subjects who were first-degree relatives of patients with AMD were significantly lower than healthy control group. This may indicate that AMD risk is slightly higher in this group. The study also found reduced sub-foveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and central foveal thickness (CFT) in group 1 compared to group 2. It is not possible to determine whether this is related to genetic tendency and further studies are needed.
Macular pigment in relatives of AMD patients
Reviewed by Kurt Spiteri Cornish
Macular pigment optical density in first degree relatives of age-related macular degeneration patients.
CONTRIBUTOR
Kurt Spiteri Cornish
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK.
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