title: Macular Pigment Optical Density and Measures of Macular Function: Test-Retest Variability, Cross-Sectional Correlations, and Findings from the Zeaxanthin Pilot Study of Response to Supplementation (ZEASTRESS-Pilot).
abstract: We report on the short-term test-retest baseline variability in macular function tests in ZEASTRESS-Pilot participants (n= 18), on their cross-sectional correlation with macular pigment optical density (MPOD), and on the effects of four months (FUV4) of 20 mg/day zeaxanthin (ZX), followed by a four-month washout (FUV8;n= 24, age 50-81 years old). Outcomes included: MPOD at 0.5 and 2.0 deg eccentricity (MPOD-0.5 and -2.0); contrast sensitivity (CS); pattern-reversal electroretinogram (PERG) amplitude; dark-adapted 650 nm foveal cone sensitivity (DA650-FCS); and 500 mn parafoveal rod sensitivity (DA500-PFRS). All measures of macular function showed close test-retest correlation (Pearson'srrange: 0.744-0.946) and low coefficients of variation (CV range: 1.13%-4.00%). MPOD correlated in a complex fashion with macular function. Following supplementation, MPOD-0.5 and MPOD-2.0 increased atbothFUV4 and FUV8 (p≤ 0.0001 for all measures). Continued, delayed MPOD increase and a small, but significant (p= 0.012), CS increase was seen at FUV8 only in females. PERGs increased significantly at FUV4 (p= 0.0006), followed by a partial decline at FUV8. In conclusion, following ZX supplementation, MPOD increased significantly. There was no effect on DA-650 FCS or DA-500 PFRS. Both CS and PERG amplitudes increased following supplementation, but the effect varied between males and females. Additional studies appear warranted to confirm and characterize further these inter-gender differences.
authors.affiliation: Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. aiannacc@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iannaccone
authors.affiliation: Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. carboni.gio@live.it.|Department of Ophthalmology, S. Giovanni di Dio Hospital, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale, 86, Cagliari 09123, Italy. carboni.gio@live.it.
authors.forename: Giovannella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carboni
authors.affiliation: Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. gina.forma@gmail.com.|Department of Ophthalmology, S. Giovanni di Dio Hospital, University of Cagliari, Via Ospedale, 86, Cagliari 09123, Italy. gina.forma@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Forma
authors.affiliation: Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. m_giulia9@hotmail.com.|Department of Ophthalmology, S. Andrea Hospital, II University Sapienza, Via di Grottarossa, 1035/1039, Rome 00189, Italy. m_giulia9@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Giulia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mutolo
authors.affiliation: Hamilton Eye Institute, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. math0618@bellsouth.net.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Jennings
keywords: contrast sensitivity; macular pigment optical density; pattern electroretinogram; zeaxanthin