Elsevier

Vision Research

Volume 51, Issue 5, 2 March 2011, Pages 459-469
Vision Research

The impact of macular pigment augmentation on visual performance in normal subjects: COMPASS

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.visres.2010.12.016Get rights and content
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Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate whether augmentation of macular pigment (MP) enhances visual performance (VP). 121 normal subjects were recruited. The active (A) group consumed 12 mg of lutein (L) and 1 mg of zeaxanthin (Z) daily. MP optical density (MPOD) was assessed by customized heterochromatic flicker photometry. VP was assessed as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivity (CS), glare disability, photostress, and subjective visual function. Subjects were assessed at baseline; 3; 6; 12 months (V1, V2, V3 and V4, respectively). Central MPOD increased significantly in the A group (p < 0.05) but not in the placebo group (p > 0.05). This statistically significant increase in MPOD in the A group was not, in general, associated with a corresponding improvement in VP (p > 0.05, for all variables), with the exception of a statistically significant time/treatment effect in “daily tasks comparative analysis” (p = 0.03). At V4, we report statistically significant differences in mesopic CS at 20.7 cpd, mesopic CS at 1.5 cpd under high glare conditions, and light/dark adaptation comparative analysis between the lower and the upper MP tertile groups (p < 0.05) Further study into the relationship between MP and VP is warranted, with particular attention directed towards individuals with low MP and suboptimal VP.

Research highlights

► Identifying that macular pigment significantly increased in the active group. ► Less glare disability for subjects with high macular pigment. ► Improved mesopic contrast sensitivity for subjects with high macular pigment. ► Identifying the need for further research in subjects with low macular pigment.

Keywords

Macular pigment
Lutein
Zeaxanthin
Vision performance

Cited by (0)

1

Disclosure: Mukunda C. Akkali, None; Grainne Scanlon, None.

2

James Loughman and Jim Stack do consultancy work for nutraceutical companies in a personal capacity. John M. Nolan and Stephen Beatty do consultancy work for nutraceutical companies, in a personal capacity, and as directors of Nutrasight Consultancy Limited.