Macular Protective Pigment Density

  • Research has focused on further analysis of the pigment, its relationship to AMD, its absorption, transport and metabolism.
  • Research suggests an association between a particular type of macular degeneration and a diet low in lutein and zeaxanthin; the evidence noting the protective role of macular protective pigment.
  • Decreased macular protective pigment is one the major contributors, if not the major contributor to developing AMD.

One of the postulated protective functions of the carotenoids in the macula is their ability to block the passage of blue light. In this slide of transverse sections through a monkey retina, the macular protective pigment appears dark when photographed in blue light, but is totally transparent under green light. *

* Modified from Snodderly DM, Auran JD, Delori FC (1984). IOVS 25, 674-685