title: Association of age and macular pigment optical density using dual-wavelength autofluorescence imaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several lines of evidence suggest that macular pigment may play a protective role against age-related macular degeneration, but the influence of age on macular pigment density levels remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between age and the normal distribution of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) values surrounding the fovea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive healthy subjects with no evidence of ocular disease were enrolled in this study. After inclusion, MPOD values were measured at specific eccentricities (0.5, 1, and 2 degrees) from the foveal center using a dual-wavelength autofluorescence method employing a modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Whenever both eyes were eligible, one was randomly selected for analysis. The correlation between age and MPOD values was investigated using regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty subjects (30 eyes) were included (mean age 48.6 ± 16.4 [range 23-77] years). Significant differences were found between MPOD values measured at 0.5, 1, and 2 degrees from the center of the fovea (0.49 ± 0.12 density units, 0.37 ± 0.11 density units, and 0.13 ± 0.05 density units, respectively, P < 0.05). Significant correlations between age and MPOD values at 0.5 and 1 degree were found (P ≤ 0.02). Values measured at 2 degrees did not correlate significantly with age (P = 0.06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In healthy subjects, MPOD values were highest near the foveal center. These values appeared to increase during adulthood (peak at 45-50 years), followed by a gradual reduction after 60 years of age.
authors.affiliation: Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY ; Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Verônica Castro
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Richard B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Tiago Santos
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Prata
authors.forename: Syril
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dorairaj
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spielberg
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maia
authors.forename: Juliana M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sallum
keywords: age; association; dual-wavelength autofluorescence imaging; macular pigment optical density