gms | German Medical Science

Macular pigment (MP) is believed to have a protective role in the development and progression of age-related maculopathy (ARM). MP consists of the two hydroxycarotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, reaching the greatest concentration in the photoreceptor axons of the foveola. The protective properties of MP are due to its antioxidative function and the filtering effect for blue light, which causes photo-oxidative injury to the neurosensory retina. Mammalian are not able to synthesize carotenoids by themselves but have to take them in by nutrition. Studies showed a significant association between MP optical density and dietary intake of carotenoids, either by dietary modification or by supplementation. Therefore, supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin could be a therapeutic option for the treatment of ARM. Recently, various method for quantitative assessment of MP density have been developed. These methods will be discussed with respect of their applications, possibilities, and limitations. Especially, the measurement of MP density with imaging techniques will be discussed in detail. These techniques allow not only the assessment of macular pigment density in the fovea, but provide data on macular pigment distribution in the macula. Current studies on MP density measurements will be summarized and their clinical relevance discussed.