"Characterization of visual function parameters in relation to macular pigment optical density in a pediatric...

To analyze the relationship between various visual function parameters (refractive status, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity) and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) values, as well as dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin in a pediatric population.

Thirty-six healthy White pediatric patients participated in this cross-sectional study conducted at the Optometry Clinic (Faculty of Pharmacy, Seville, Spain). MPOD values were measured using the MPSII^® (Macular Pigment Screener II). Visual acuity was assessed with the ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) chart, and refractive status was determined through subjective refraction, recording sphere and cylinder for each eye. Contrast sensitivity was measured with Optotab+^® at key spatial frequencies under photopic conditions. Lutein and zeaxanthin intake was evaluated using the KIDMED questionnaire, categorizing children based on their adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

The mean age of participants was 7.67 ± 1.21 years. MPOD values were similar between the right eye (0.51 ± 0.16 du) and the left eye (0.47 ± 0.23 du), with no statistically significant difference observed (p = 0.51). Visual acuity in both eyes ranged from - 0.08 to 0.10 logMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution). Contrast sensitivity was assessed at spatial frequencies of 1.5, 3, 6, 12 and 18 cycles per degree for each eye. No significant interocular differences were found for any of the visual parameters evaluated. All children in the study had medium or high adherence to the Mediterranean diet; no participants met criteria for low adherence category. Additionally, no significant differences in visual function or MPOD were observed between children with medium or high adherence. No correlations were observed between MPOD and any ocular parameters in either eye.

This study found no correlation between MPOD and visual function parameters in children with medium to high adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Furthermore, adherence to the Mediterranean diet - and the associated lutein and zeaxanthin intake - showed no significant association with MPOD values or visual performance in this pediatric sample. These findings suggest that children's dietary habits may not influence MPOD values or visual function. Further studies with more diverse and larger pediatric populations, including children with low dietary adherence, are warranted to clarify these relationships.