The relationship between macular pigment and visual performance
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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Measurement of Carotenoids in Perifovea using the Macular Pigment Reflectometer
Published on: January 29, 2020
James Loughman1, Mukunda C Akkali, Stephen Beatty
1Macular Pigment Research Group, Optometry Department, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract:
This study was designed to assess whether macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is associated with visual performance. One hundred and forty-two young healthy subjects were recruited. Macular pigment optical density and visual performance were assessed by psychophysical tests including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivity, glare sensitivity, photostress recovery time (PRT). Measures of central visual function, including BCVA and contrast sensitivity, were positively associated with MPOD (p<0.05, for all). Photostress recovery and glare sensitivity were unrelated to MPOD (p>0.05). A longitudinal, placebo-controlled and randomized supplementation trial will be required to ascertain whether augmentation of MPOD can influence visual performance.
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