Abstract | BACKGROUND: OBJECTIVE: METHODS: Using resonance Raman spectroscopy, a novel objective noninvasive laser-optical technique, we measured macular carotenoid levels in 30 patients (54 eyes) who have RP, CHM, and Stargardt macular dystrophy and compared them with 76 age-matched subjects (129 eyes) who did not have macular pathologic conditions in a case-control study. RESULTS: As a group, patients with RP and CHM had the same macular carotenoid levels as age-matched healthy control subjects (P =.76, 2-way analysis of variance). Patients with Stargardt macular dystrophy tended to have levels of macular carotenoid pigments that, on average, were about 50% lower than healthy controls (P =.02,unpaired 2-tailed t test). CONCLUSIONS: The patients with RP and CHM had normal levels of macular carotenoids, suggesting that nutritional supplementation with macular carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, or both will be unlikely to affect the clinical course of RP and CHM. Although the number of patients with Stargardt macular dystrophy examined was limited, their macular carotenoid levels were usually lower than those of subjects of a similar age with no macular pathologic condition.
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Authors | Da-You Zhao, Steven W Wintch, Igor V Ermakov, Werner Gellermann, Paul S Bernstein |
Journal | Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
(Arch Ophthalmol)
Vol. 121
Issue 7
Pg. 967-72
(Jul 2003)
ISSN: 0003-9950 [Print] United States |
PMID | 12860799
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Retinal Pigments
- Xanthophylls
- Zeaxanthins
- beta Carotene
- Lutein
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Topics |
- Adult
- Choroideremia
(metabolism)
- Female
- Humans
- Lutein
(metabolism)
- Macular Degeneration
(metabolism)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Retinal Pigments
(metabolism)
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
(metabolism)
- Spectrum Analysis, Raman
(methods)
- Xanthophylls
- Zeaxanthins
- beta Carotene
(analogs & derivatives, metabolism)
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