Macular Pigments

Assessing macular pigment density is needed to help patients slow AMD progression and prevent it in the first place.

New study (Keenan et al. 2024, published in Ophthalmology) shows that supplements including lutein and zeaxanthin (macular pigments) slow progression of geographic atrophy in patients with age related macular degeneration. This research was based on a post hoc analysis of the AREDS studies, by analysing fundus images. You can read further on this research here.

They state that despite the fact that soft drusen (known precursor for AMD and geographic atrophy) occur most often in the central macula, the progression (spread) of geographic atrophy is 4 times slower in the central macula than elsewhere in the retina.

Why? Because the central macula is protected by the highest density of antioxidants found anywhere in the body. The accumulation of xanthophyl carotenoids, (lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin) that you can only get from your diet, filter out harmful violet-blue light and act as antioxidants protecting the retina.

But not only do macular pigments slow progression in people who already have AMD, there is evidence that macular pigments also reduce the risk of getting AMD in the first place (Fletcher et al. 2008).

While there have been methods of assessing macular pigment density in patients available for the past 20 years, many eye care professionals (ECPs) do not regularly make these measurements because they are complex and time consuming.

New technology, based on research from the University of Bristol, has changed all of that. The MP-eye by Azul Optics can assess macular pigment density in patients aged 5-95 in under a minute, giving ECPs the information they need to make recommendations to patients about protecting their vision through diet, supplements, fitness, smoking cessation and lenses (sunglasses, photochromics and blue light filtering).

That’s why macular pigment assessment to be part of YOUR eye exam here at Elizabeth Evans Opticians.

Image adapted from Guymer 2022