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Macular pigment density at the site of altered fundus autofluorescence

  • Retinal Disorders
  • Published:
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

The purpose of our study was to determine whether abnormalities of increased or decreased fundus autofluorescence (FAF) are associated with local changes in macular pigment (MP) optical density in patients with age-related maculopathy (ARM) and macular degeneration (ARMD).

Methods

FAF imaging and MP measurement was performed through dilated pupils using a modified confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (HRA, Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) according to a standard protocol. Two-wavelength autofluorescence method was employed for determination of local macular pigment optical density (LMPOD). Image analysis and measurement of LMPOD at the area of altered FAF was performed using Heidelberg Eye Explorer Software. Mean values of LMPOD at the site of FAF abnormality were compared to an adjacent location with normal background FAF of the same image.

Results

Sixty-three eyes of 63 patients (28 male, 35 female, mean age 75.8 ± 8.8 years) were included in this analysis. Group 1 comprised 31 cases with focal increased FAF. Mean LMPOD in the area of increased FAF was 0.073 ± 0.083 compared to 0.075 ± 0.074 in the adjacent area of normal FAF. Group 2 comprised 32 cases of focal decreased FAF. Mean LMPOD in the area of decreased FAF was –0.004 ± 0.088 compared 0.053 ± 0.075 in the adjacent area of normal FAF. The site of increased FAF showed no significant difference in LMPOD (p = 0.927) compared to adjacent areas of normal FAF, while areas of decreased FAF revealed significantly lower LMPOD (p = 0.001) compared to adjacent areas of normal FAF.

Conclusions

Focal increases of FAF due to ARM or ARMD did not lead to change in LMPOD. Presumably, retinal layers containing MP are unaffected by these processes. For lesions exhibiting focal decreased FAF, a reduction of LMPOD cannot be excluded. Further studies are needed to investigate MP in the course of disease.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Mr. Martin Niederhaeuser and Ms. Anita Zenger for the help in the image acquisition and our study coordinator Ms. Sia Mabia Fuster for the efforts and contributions in supporting this investigation.

Clinical Trial Registration

This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov with the identifier: NCT00494325.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bern Photographic Reading Center, Universitätsklinik für Augenheilkunde, Bern, Switzerland

    Simon Paul Rothenbuehler

  2. Universitätsklinik für Augenheilkunde, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland

    Ute E. K. Wolf-Schnurrbusch & Sebastian Wolf

Authors
  1. Simon Paul Rothenbuehler
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  2. Ute E. K. Wolf-Schnurrbusch
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  3. Sebastian Wolf
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sebastian Wolf.

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Grant support

SNF 3200 Bo-109962/1and Velux 303

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Rothenbuehler, S.P., Wolf-Schnurrbusch, U.E.K. & Wolf, S. Macular pigment density at the site of altered fundus autofluorescence. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 249, 499–504 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-010-1528-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-010-1528-1

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