title: Macular pigment optical density and photophobia light threshold.
abstract: Light absorption by macular pigment may attenuate visual discomfort, or photophobia, for targets composed of short-wavelength light. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and photophobia light thresholds were measured psychophysically in 10 subjects. The energy necessary to induce photophobia for a short-wavelength target relative to a long-wavelength target was linearly related to MPOD, as well as estimates of peak MPOD and integrated macular pigment. In four subjects who consumed lutein supplements, increases in MPOD corresponded to increases in photophobia light thresholds. Light absorption by macular pigment appears to influence the amount of short-wavelength light necessary to elicit photophobia.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, University of New Hampshire, 10 Library Way, Durham, NH 03824, USA. awenzel@unh.edu
authors.forename: Adam J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wenzel
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fuld
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Stringham
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Curran-Celentano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005584:Fovea Centralis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000737:chemistry / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D020795:Photophobia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011601:Psychophysics; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000008:administration & dosage; D065146:Zeaxanthins
chemical_list: D012168:Retinal Pigments; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D002338:Carotenoids; D014975:Lutein