The relationship between macular pigment and visual performance

James Loughman, Mukunda C. Akkali, Stephen Beatty, Grainne Scanlon, Peter A. Davison, Veronica O'Dwyer, Tom Cantwell, Philip Major, Jim Stack, John M. Nolan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

78 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study was designed to assess whether macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is associated with visual performance. One hundred and forty-two young healthy subjects were recruited. Macular pigment optical density and visual performance were assessed by psychophysical tests including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity, photostress recovery time (PRT). Measures of central visual function, including BCVA and contrast sensitivity, were positively associated with MPOD (p< 0.05, for all). Photostress recovery and glare sensitivity were unrelated to MPOD (p> 0.05). A longitudinal, placebo-controlled and randomized supplementation trial will be required to ascertain whether augmentation of MPOD can influence visual performance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1249-1256
Number of pages8
JournalVision Research
Volume50
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2010

Keywords

  • Contrast sensitivity
  • Glare sensitivity
  • Macular pigment
  • Photostress recovery time
  • Visual acuity

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