Measurement of macular pigment optical density using two different heterochromatic flicker photometers.
OBJECTIVE
To compare macular pigment optical density using two different heterochromatic flicker photometers.


METHODS
We measured macular pigment optical density in 121 healthy subjects using heterochromatic flicker photometry.


RESULTS
The mean (+/-SD) macular pigment optical density measured using the Maculometer was 0.394 (+/-0.170), and that using the Densitometer was 0.395 (+/-0.189). The difference in measurements on each instrument was influenced by age and macular pigment levels.


CONCLUSIONS
On average, there is no difference in measurements provided by these two instruments. The Maculometer tends to underestimate macular pigment in older subjects and/or those with higher macular pigment compared with the Densitometer.
Loane
Edward
E
Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical & Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland. eloane@wit.ie
Stack
Jim
J
Beatty
Stephen
S
Nolan
John M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005425:Flicker Fusion; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010783:Photometry / Q000379:methods*; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000378:metabolism*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000378:metabolism*; D065146:Zeaxanthins
D012168:Retinal Pigments; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D014975:Lutein