Elsevier

Vision Research

Volume 50, Issue 13, 18 June 2010, Pages 1249-1256
Vision Research

The relationship between macular pigment and visual performance

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2010.04.009Get rights and content
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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.

Keywords

Macular pigment
Visual acuity
Contrast sensitivity
Glare sensitivity
Photostress recovery time

Cited by (0)

Grant information: Study supported by Bausch & Lomb Inc. and Enterprise Ireland, under the Innovation Partnerships Programme.

1

This author does consultancy work for nutraceutical companies in a personal capacity.

2

These authors do consultancy work for nutraceutical companies, in a personal capacity, and as directors of Nutrasight Consultancy Limited.