Abnormal macular pigment distribution in type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the distribution of macular pigment in type 2 idiopathic macular telangiectasia (IMT).


METHODS
Twenty-two eyes of 12 patients with type 2 IMT were examined by means of best-corrected visual acuity testing, fundus biomicroscopy, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was assessed using a modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope whereby MPOD was calculated from fundus autofluorescence images acquired at two different excitation wavelengths (488 and 514 nm). The results were verified with a method that provides density maps after digital subtraction of log fundus reflectance maps (four patients) and by means of heterochromatic flicker photometry (four patients).


RESULTS
MOPD distribution showed an abnormal pattern for all patients with type 2 IMT. In correspondence to the late-phase hyperfluorescent areas shown by fluorescein angiography, MPOD was reduced in the macular area, while there was preserved MPOD at 5 degrees to 7 degrees eccentricity.


CONCLUSIONS
The central depletion of macular pigment represents a novel phenotypic characteristic of type 2 IMT. Recording of macular pigment distribution may prove useful in the diagnosis of type 2 IMT and implicates an impaired trafficking or storage of lutein and zeaxanthin in the disease process.
Helb
Hans-Martin
HM
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Charbel Issa
Peter
P
VAN DER Veen
Rob L P
RL
Berendschot
Tos T J M
TT
Scholl
Hendrik P N
HP
Holz
Frank G
FG
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000378:metabolism*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013684:Telangiectasis / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000378:metabolism*; D065146:Zeaxanthins
D012168:Retinal Pigments; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D014975:Lutein