Spatial distribution of macular pigment estimated by autofluorescence imaging in elderly Japanese individuals

摘要

Purpose To determine the spatial distribution types of macular pigment (MP) in elderly Japanese individuals and to consider their origin. Study design Observational case series. Methods Local MP optical density (MPOD) at some eccentricities and MP volume were measured using the MPOD module of a MultiColor Spectralis in 96 pseudophakic eyes of 96 participants (age range, 52-86 years; mean age, 72.8 +/- 8.3 years). The MP distribution types were determined from the MP spatial profiles. The retinal thickness (RT) at the foveal center, at both 0.5 degrees and 0.9 degrees eccentricities, and the foveal width were measured using optical coherence tomography. Results The mean local MPOD at the foveal center was 0.79. Spatial distribution was classified into four types: central peak (24.0%), ring-like (40.6%), intermediate (22.9%), and central dip (12.5%). The ring-like type was the most frequent in these Japanese participants. The central-peak type showed lower MPOD than did the other types in the area outside 0.9 degrees. The ring-like type occurred frequently in eyes with small RT at 0.5 degrees and wider foveal width. A rough contour of the Muller cell cone was found more frequently in the central-dip type than in the other types. Conclusions The present characteristics of the different distribution patterns could be explained by the hypothesis that MP presents mainly in the Muller cell cone within 0.5 degrees and in Muller cells in the outer and inner plexiform layers in the area outside 0.5 degrees. The anatomic characteristics of Muller cells at the fovea and parafovea likely affect the MP distribution.