Restoration of Central Macular Pigment Dip with Dietary RR Zeaxanthin Supplementation in Patients with AMD

July 2017

Abstract

Objective: Low macular pigment optical density (MPOD) is a major risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This paper investigates the impact of 8 mg dietary RR zeaxanthin (Z) supplementation on MPOD distribution and the associated effect on macular scotomas in patients with a central foveal dip in their macular pigment spatial profile.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of The Zeaxanthin and Visual Function RCT (FDA IND 78, 973) with respect to the relation between low levels of MPOD and increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We retrospectively examine the effect of daily supplementation of 8 mg of dietary Z on n=4 patients having a baseline central foveal dip in their MPOD distribution. The testing modalities used were a 7⁰ 3D specular reflectance and the associated kinetic 20° macular visual fields.

Results: Over a 12-month period, all four patients showed a progressive increase in central peak restoration with related kinetic and/or Amsler grid visual field data.
Conclusion: The initial results demonstrate marked improvement in macular pigment architecture and overall visual function after 12 months of Z supplementation. These results warrant a prospective clinical trial with a larger number of subjects to investigate the role of Z in central dip amelioration.

Keywords: Zeaxanthin; Meso-zeaxanthin; AMD; Central foveal dip; Scotomas; Macular pigment optical density

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