Baseline macular pigment optical density among Filipinos with age-related macular degeneration

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To compare the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) among Filipinos with and without age¬related macular degeneration (AMD).</p> <p style="text-align justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> Consecutive patients with AMD and without posterior segment disease were recruited into the study Baseline MPOD measurements using an autofluorescence spectrometer were obtained. MPOD in the 0.5 degree retinal eccentricity and the average of 3 measurements (MPOD Max) was the primary outcome measure.</p> <p style="text-align justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> 120 patients, aged 50 to 80 years, were included into 3 groups group 1 (n=40) without retinal disease, group 2 (n=40) with non-neovascular AMD, and group 3 (n=40) with neovascular AMD. The mean baseline MPOD were 0.382 ± 0.10 DU for group 1, 0.333 ± 0.07 DU for group 2, and 0.283 ± 0.07 DU for group 3. Significant differences were present comparing the MPOD values of the 3 groups.</p> <p style="text-align justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Eyes without retinal disease had higher MPOD than those with early non-neovascular or neovascular AMD.</p>