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The effect of nutritional supplementation on the multifocal electroretinogram in healthy eyes

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Abstract

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated an increase in macular pigment optical density (MPOD) with lutein (L)-based supplementation in healthy eyes. However, not all studies have assessed whether this increase in MPOD is associated with changes to other measures of retinal function such as the multifocal ERG (mfERG). Some studies also fail to report dietary levels of L and zeaxanthin (Z). Because of the associations between increased levels of L and Z, and reduced risk of AMD, this study was designed to assess the effects of L-based supplementation on mfERG amplitudes and latencies in healthy eyes.

Methods

Multifocal ERG amplitudes, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, MPOD and dietary levels of L and Z were assessed in this longitudinal, randomized clinical trial. Fifty-two healthy eyes from 52 participants were randomly allocated to receive a L-based supplement (treated group), or no supplement (non-treated group).

Results

There were 25 subjects aged 18–77 (mean age ± SD; 48 ± 17) in the treated group and 27 subjects aged 21–69 (mean age ± SD; 43 ± 16) in the non-treated group. All participants attended for three visits: visit one at baseline, visit two at 20 weeks and visit three at 40 weeks. A statistically significant increase in MPOD (F = 17.0, p ≤ 0.001) and shortening of mfERG ring 2 P1 latency (F = 3.69, p = 0.04) was seen in the treated group.

Conclusions

Although the results were not clinically significant, the reported trend for improvement in MPOD and mfERG outcomes warrants further investigation.

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Acknowledgments

Bausch and Lomb provided financial support in the form of Ph.D. funding. The sponsor had no role in the design or conduct of this research.

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  1. Ophthalmic Research Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK

    Emma J. Berrow, Hannah E. Bartlett & Frank Eperjesi

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  1. Emma J. Berrow
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Correspondence to Frank Eperjesi.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Berrow, E.J., Bartlett, H.E. & Eperjesi, F. The effect of nutritional supplementation on the multifocal electroretinogram in healthy eyes. Doc Ophthalmol 132, 123–135 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-016-9532-3

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