The Role of Macular Pigment in Patients With Age-related Macular Degeneration

May 2, 2018 updated by: Sebastian Wolf, University Hospital Inselspital, Berne

In the industrialised world age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause for legal blindness beyond the age of 50 years. Recent studies indicate that the amount and status of the macular pigment (MP) may play a central role in the development and progression of the disease. It has been demonstrated that the MP density can be increased by dietary supplementation. First results of MP density measurements with a modified confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscope show that this method allows to quantify the MP in a clinical setting. The aim of this study is to assess the peak MP density as well as the MP distribution in relation to the risk for ARMD. We will establish reference values for MP density distribution in a normal population and compare these to values obtained from patients with age related maculopathy in a cross-sectional study. For all MP density measurements we will use a modified scanning laser ophthalmoscope and dietary intake of macular pigment will be assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Clinical examinations will include ETDRS visual acuity, binocular ophthalmoscopy, colour fundus photography and autofluorescence imaging. The results of our study will help assess the relationship of macular pigment density and distribution with ARMD. Additionally, we will be able to identify patients with low MP density, and probably improve the early diagnosis of patients at high risk for developing ARMD. This will be the basis for dietary supplementation of lutein and/or zeaxanthin in patients with high risk for ARMD due to low macular pigment values.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Age Related Maculopathy

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

480

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

Switzerland
- - Bern, Switzerland
    - Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, University Bern

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

50 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with early ARM

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

age related maculopathy

Exclusion Criteria:

other macular diseases

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Incidence of development of late AMD Time Frame: End of study	End of study

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University Hospital Inselspital, Berne

Investigators

Study Director: Sebastian Wolf, MD PhD, University of Bern
Principal Investigator: Sebastian Wolf, MD, University of Bern

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

October 1, 2005

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 1, 2010

Study Completion (Actual)

April 30, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 27, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria