Macular pigment optical density in wet age-related macular degeneration among Indians

PurposeTo estimate the value of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in adult south Indian population with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).MethodsA total of 33 patients with wet AMD and 29 age-matched controls >50 years of age underwent MPOD measurement with the macular densitometer. The patients were also tested for their dietary intake of carotenoids, smoking history, and lifetime UV exposure.ResultsThe mean MPOD values in the Indian population with wet AMD was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.18-0.29) vs control was 0.43 (95% CI: 0.37-0.49), P<0.0001, at 0.5° eccentricity. Ex-smokers had a lower MPOD than non-smokers (0.16 (0.09-0.23) vs 0.28 (0.22-0.34), P=0.026) and the lowest level of carotenoids intake had 48% lower MPOD than the highest level (0.14 (0.08-0.21) vs 0.33 (0.24-0.43), P=0.012). There was no significant age-related decline or gender variation in MPOD.ConclusionThis study establishes the MPOD in adult Indian population with wet AMD, with a lack of macular pigment in association with wet AMD.