Macular pigment, photopigments, and melanin: distributions in young subjects determined by four-wavelength reflectometry.
We have developed an objective procedure, using a modified retinal camera, to determine macular pigment (MP) optical density distributions in the human retina. Using two multi-band filters, reflectance maps of the retinas of young subjects (<25 years old) were obtained at 460, 528, 610 and 670 nm, without pupil dilation. The log-transformed maps were combined linearly to yield optical density maps of MP, cone and rod photopigments, and melanin. MP optical density and heterochromatic flicker photometry results for 22 subjects were in reasonable agreement. Cone photopigments, like MP, showed similar, well-defined peaks at the fovea, whereas rod photopigment showed a minimum. Melanin was more broadly distributed.
Bone
Richard A
RA
Department of Physics, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA. bone@fiu.edu
Brener
Betty
B
Gibert
Jorge C
JC
D000328:Adult; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000737:chemistry*; D008543:Melanins / Q000032:analysis*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D010781:Photography; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000032:analysis*; D014741:Video Recording
D008543:Melanins; D012168:Retinal Pigments