Macular pigment optical density measured by dual-wavelength autofluorescence imaging in diabetic and nondiabetic patients: a comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic patients by using dual-wavelength autofluorescence imaging and to investigate the correlation of MPOD with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and serum lipid levels.


METHODS
Forty-three patients were divided into groups 1 (controls, n = 14), 2 (diabetic without retinopathy, n = 17), and 3 (diabetic with mild nonproliferative retinopathy, n = 12). MPOD was measured with a modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope and compared among groups (analysis of variance). The correlation of HbA1C and serum lipid (HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides) levels with MPOD was determined for each group (linear regression analysis).


RESULTS
Mean ± SD ages in groups 1 (56.2 ± 11.7 years), 2 (58.6 ± 11.5 years), and 3 (62.8 ± 9.8 years) were similar (P = 0.324). Mean MPOD averaged in a 2°-diameter circle around the fovea was significantly different between the three groups: 1, (0.29 ± 0.07 density units [DU]), 2 (0.22 ± 0.09 DU), and 3 (0.14 ± 0.05 DU) (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in mean MPOD levels at 0.5° between groups 1 (0.51 ± 0.12 DU) and 2 (0.24 ± 0.11 DU; P < 0.001), but not between groups 2 and 3 (0.33 ± 0.15 DU; P > 0.05). A significant inverse correlation was observed between HbA1C levels and mean MPOD, averaged at 2° around the fovea in all patients (r = -0.63, P < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between MPOD and serum lipid levels or age.


CONCLUSIONS
Type 2 diabetic patients, with or without retinopathy, had reduced MPOD when compared with that in nondiabetic patients. In addition, a significant inverse correlation between MPOD and HbA1C levels was observed.
Lima
Verônica Castro
VC
Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, New York 10003, USA.
Rosen
Richard B
RB
Maia
Mauricio
M
Prata
Tiago Santos
TS
Dorairaj
Syril
S
Farah
Michel Eid
ME
Sallum
Juliana
J
D003720:Densitometry; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D014975:Lutein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000378:metabolism*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000378:metabolism*; D065146:Zeaxanthins
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids; D014975:Lutein; D012168:Retinal Pigments; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human