title: The effect of nutritional supplementation on the multifocal electroretinogram in healthy eyes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have demonstrated an increase in macular pigment optical density (MPOD) with lutein (L)-based supplementation in healthy eyes. However, not all studies have assessed whether this increase in MPOD is associated with changes to other measures of retinal function such as the multifocal ERG (mfERG). Some studies also fail to report dietary levels of L and zeaxanthin (Z). Because of the associations between increased levels of L and Z, and reduced risk of AMD, this study was designed to assess the effects of L-based supplementation on mfERG amplitudes and latencies in healthy eyes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multifocal ERG amplitudes, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, MPOD and dietary levels of L and Z were assessed in this longitudinal, randomized clinical trial. Fifty-two healthy eyes from 52 participants were randomly allocated to receive a L-based supplement (treated group), or no supplement (non-treated group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 25 subjects aged 18-77 (mean age ± SD; 48 ± 17) in the treated group and 27 subjects aged 21-69 (mean age ± SD; 43 ± 16) in the non-treated group. All participants attended for three visits: visit one at baseline, visit two at 20 weeks and visit three at 40 weeks. A statistically significant increase in MPOD (F = 17.0, p ≤ 0.001) and shortening of mfERG ring 2 P1 latency (F = 3.69, p = 0.04) was seen in the treated group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the results were not clinically significant, the reported trend for improvement in MPOD and mfERG outcomes warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
authors.forename: Emma J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Berrow
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK.
authors.forename: Hannah E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmic Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK. f.eperjesi@aston.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4358-0095
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Eperjesi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D065348:Macular Pigment / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult; D065146:Zeaxanthins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D065348:Macular Pigment; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D014975:Lutein
keywords: Lutein; Macular pigment optical density; Multifocal electroretinogram; Randomized trial