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Biomedical subjects

B R Wooten

Publications and source records attributed to B R Wooten.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Carotenoids in the retina and lens: possible acute and chronic effects on human visual performance.

(MP) that is composed of the hydroxy-carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Although it appears that all humans have some quantity of these pigments within their retina, foveal concentrations tend to vary quite dramatically. This wide individual variability has prompted questions regarding possible functional consequences. At least two major nonexclusive hypotheses regarding the function of MP have been proposed. The "protection hypothesis" has received the most attention and is based on the possibility that MP could reduce the cumulative effects of damage due to light and oxygen and retard the development of age-related eye disease. The "acuity hypothesis" states that MP could improve visual resolution by absorbing short-wave light, which is easily scattered and poorly focused. In this article, we review evidence that lutein and zeaxanthin could improve human visual performance through both acute optical effects at the site of the retina and by maintaining health and functional integrity of the retina and crystalline lens.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Smoking and lens optical density.

Epidemiological evidence indicates that smoking increases the risk of age-related cataract. No information is currently available, however, on the effects of smoking on the lens prior to cataract development. In this study, we relate smoking behavior to lens optical density (OD) in younger individuals without frank cataract. Fifty three never smokers and 41 current smokers were compared directly. Thirty one past smokers were tested to examine the relationship between years since smoking cessation and lens OD. Lens OD was measured psychophysically by comparing scotopic thresholds obtained at 410 (measuring) and 550 nm (reference). Stimuli were presented in Maxwellian view. The smokers in the sample smoked an average of 17.3 +/- 11.3 cigarettes/day for 20.4 +/- 12 years. No significant differences (other than in fat intake) were found between the smokers and nonsmokers in iris color, dietary patterns, or age. Despite their overall similarity, lens OD was significantly (p = 0.005) higher in the smokers. Moreover, we found a significant dose-response relationship (p = 0.02) between smoking frequency and lens OD. There was also a weak relationship between smoking frequency and lens OD for past smokers (p = 0.06), but no relationship between lens OD and years since smoking cessation. Our data indicate that smoking is directly related to age-related increases in lens OD throughout life and that these increases persist even after smoking cessation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

A practical method for measuring macular pigment optical density.

PURPOSE: Increasing evidence indicates that the macular pigments (MP) protect the central retina and may retard macular disease. For that reason, a practical method for measuring MP that does not require elaborate optics and can be applied to diverse populations by operators with a modest amount of experience was developed and validated. METHODS: A small tabletop device based on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source with electronic controls was constructed. Macular pigment was measured with the tabletop device with a 1 degrees test stimulus at 460 nm using heterochromatic flicker photometry, and the results were compared with measurements using a traditional three-channel Maxwellian view system with a xenon-arc source. RESULTS: Macular pigment density of 30 subjects (age range, 16-60 years) was measured with both stimulus systems. Macular pigment measured with the LED tabletop device in free view was highly correlated with MP measured in Maxwellian view (y = -0.03 + 1.06x, r = +0.95). The average absolute difference between the two techniques was 0.04 (SD, 0.03). The new technique was not significantly affected by variations in lens optical density, pupil size, or small head movements. CONCLUSIONS: Psychophysical measurement of MP provides a unique opportunity to make repeated noninvasive assessment of the concentration of a protective nutrient in the retina. The availability of this new device should make this measurement technology accessible to a wide variety of investigators for application to diverse populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Preservation of visual sensitivity of older subjects: association with macular pigment density.

PURPOSE: The authors investigated how individual differences in macular pigment (MP) density are related to loss of visual sensitivity with age. METHODS: Macular pigment and visual sensitivity of 27 healthy older subjects (aged 60-84 years) were compared with data from 10 younger subjects (aged 24-36 years). Macular pigment density was measured psychophysically with a centrally fixated stimulus 1 degree in diameter. Photopic increment sensitivity in the fovea was measured as thresholds for centrally fixated 1 degree stimuli on a bright yellow background. Foveal sensitivity of the pi-1 mechanism driven by the S cones was measured with 440-nm light. Photopic increment thresholds not determined by the pi-1 mechanism were measured with 550-nm light. Sensitivity was specified at the photoreceptor outer segments by individually correcting for psychophysically determined lens density and MP density. Dark-adapted (scotopic) sensitivity of rod-dominated visual mechanisms was measured in the parafovea with 550-nm light at 8 degrees eccentricity. RESULTS: Consistent with past reports, photopic sensitivity declined significantly with age for both 440-nm (P < 0.025) and 550-nm (P < 0.0003) light. For older subjects, photopic sensitivity was positively related to MP density, although more strongly for 440-nm (P < 0.001) than for 550-nm (P < 0.01) light. Parafoveal scotopic sensitivity of the older subjects was also positively related to MP density (P < 0.02). Visual sensitivity of the young subjects was not significantly related to MP density. CONCLUSIONS: For subjects older than 60 years, visual sensitivity of those with high MP density was not significantly different from that of young subjects. Conversely, older subjects with low MP density had lower sensitivity than young subjects. Although this study cannot prove causality, the results show that high MP density was associated with the retention of youthful visual sensitivity, which suggested that MP may retard age-related declines in visual function.

Adaptation, Ocular↗
PubMed1997

Density of the human crystalline lens is related to the macular pigment carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin.

PURPOSE: Although oxidative stress may play an important role in the development of age-related cataract, the degree of protection reported for antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids has been inconsistent across studies. These varied results may be due in part to the lack of good biomarkers for measuring the long-term nutritional status of the eye. The present experiments investigated the relationship between retinal carotenoids (i.e., macular pigment), used as a long-term measure of tissue carotenoids, and lens optical density, used as an indicator of lens health. METHODS: Macular pigment (460 nm) and lens (440, 500, and 550 nm) optical density were measured psychophysically in the same individuals. Groups of younger subjects--7 females (ages 24 to 36 years), and 5 males (ages 24 to 31 years)--were compared with older subjects--23 older females (ages 55 to 78 years), and 16 older males (ages 48 to 82 years). RESULTS: Lens density (440 nm) increased as a function of age (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), as expected. For the oldest group, a significant inverse relationship (y = 1.53-0.83x, r = -0.47, p < 0.001) was found between macular pigment density (440 nm) and lens density (440 nm). No relationship was found for the youngest group (p < 0.42). CONCLUSIONS: The main finding of this study was an age-dependent, inverse relationship between macular pigment density and lens density. Macular pigment is composed of lutein and zeaxanthin, the only two carotenoids that have been identified in the human lens. Thus, an inverse relationship between these two variables suggests that lutein and zeaxanthin, or other dietary factors with which they are correlated, may retard age-related increases in lens density.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Individual variations in the spatial profile of human macular pigment.

Individual variations in the spatial profile of macular pigment (MP) density were measured for 32 subjects. Peak density of MP measured with a 460-nm, 12-arcmin stimulus averaged 0.58, standard deviation (SD) = 0.26, with a range of 0.175 to 1.39. To assess the symmetry of the MP distribution, MP density was measured on the horizontal and vertical meridians at +/-1 deg eccentricity. The density varied by no more than 16% at these four locations, indicating a basically symmetric distribution. Based on a linear interpolation between measured locations, the width of the spatial distribution of MP at half the maximal density averaged 1.03 deg, SD = 0.38, with a range of 0.25 to 1.9 deg. The average spatial profile of MP density across subjects was fitted with both an exponential and a Gaussian function. An exponential decay with eccentricity explained more variance in the data than did a Gaussian function. Assuming an exponential decay with eccentricity, once MP density has been measured in the center of the retina (denoted A), MP density at more eccentric locations (X, deg) can be predicted with a standardized equation (MP = A x 10(-0.42x)). For individual cases, small deviations from an exponential function suggest the existence of minor flanking peaks or shoulders for 40% of the subjects. We also examined the temporal stability of the MP profile of four subjects over a time span of 4-14 months and for a single spatial location for ten subjects over a time span of 1-16 years. These longitudinal data show that differences in MP density among subjects are maintained over time, if dietary patterns are stable.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Sex differences in macular pigment optical density: relation to plasma carotenoid concentrations and dietary patterns.

Sex differences in macular pigment (MP) optical density (measured psychophysically) were examined. Concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin (L and Z) (non-separated) and beta-carotene (BC) in the blood were determined using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Dietary intake of L and Z, BC, fat, and iron were estimated by questionnaire. Males had 38% higher MP density than females (P < 0.001) despite similar plasma carotenoid concentrations and similar dietary intake (except for fat). Dietary intake of carotenoids, fat and iron, as well as plasma concentrations of L and Z were positively related to MP density in males. Conversely, only plasma L and Z was related to MP density for females, and dietary fat was negatively related to MP density. Sex differences in protection of the retina by MP and in the relationship between the retina, blood and diet could be a factor in the incidence of retinal diseases, especially age-related macular degeneration.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Cigarette smoking and retinal carotenoids: implications for age-related macular degeneration.

The foveal region of the retina has a yellow pigmentation composed primarily of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Past studies have shown that cigarette smoking depresses carotenoid concentrations in the blood. This is the first report on the effects of cigarette smoking on carotenoids in the retina. Macular pigment optical density (MP) was measured psychophysically by comparing foveal and parafoveal sensitivities to light of 460 and 550 nm. General dietary patterns, smoking frequency (cigaretts/day) and personal data were collected by questionnaire. Thirty-four smokers and 34 nonsmokers were compared. Subjects were matched with respect to age, sex, dietary patterns and overall pigmentation (i.e., eye, skin and hair color). The smoking group had a mean MP of 0.16 (SD = 0.12) compared to a mean MP of 0.34 (SD = 0.15) for nonsmokers (P < 0.0001). MP density and smoking frequency were inversely related (r = -0.498 P < 0.001) in a dose-response relationship. A variety of evidence suggests that MP protects the macula from actinic damage both passively (by screening potentially harmful short-wave light) and actively as an antioxidant (e.g., by quenching reactive oxygen species). If smoking causes a reduction in MP density, then smokers may be at risk. Epidemiologic data identifying smoking as a risk factor for the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration are consistent with this hypothesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The relation of lightness and stereoscopic depth in a simple viewing situation.

The effect of stereoscopic depth on perceived lightness was studied using a simple, achromatic stimulus arrangement. In Experiment 1, depth/lightness interactions were sought between a single test field and a single induction field. In Experiment 2, depth/lightness interactions were looked for between a single test field and two induction fields. Stimuli were presented on a computer screen and viewed with a stereoscope. The subjects reported perceived lightness of the achromatic test field by rating its apparent blackness along a dimension of 0%-100%. In Experiment 1, they reported lightness judgments of the test field across 13 perceived depth levels and 8 contrast levels. In Experiment 2, they gave lightness judgments of the test field across 7 perceived depth levels and 16 contrast levels. We were particularly interested in observing the generality of Gilchrist's coplanar ratio hypothesis. The results showed that when stereopsis and contrast levels are the available cues, depth and lightness percepts are independent, and it is retinal ratios, not coplanar ratios, that dictate lightness perception. We conclude that before the relative depth location of an object is determined, its lightness value is known through sensory-level processes.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Stimulus determinants of achromatic constancy.

Achromatic constancy refers to the invariance of either lightness or brightness despite changes in illumination intensity. Previous results disagree as to the extent to which constancy occurs with fixed luminance ratio conditions. This may reflect a lack of distinction between lightness and brightness. We measured both lightness and brightness constancy with fixed luminance ratios between test and annular fields under conditions varying in stimulus duration and adaptation. Lightness constancy occurred for all ratios under sustained viewing conditions and irrespective of adaptation level. Brightness constancy occurred for high-contrast stimuli and under sustained viewing conditions. These results support a bidimensional description of achromatic stimuli and suggest that lightness and brightness are the outcomes of two functionally distinct processes.

Color Perception↗
PubMed1989

Temporal induction of blackness--I. Color appearance.

Three color-normal observers described the appearance of colors under conditions of temporal induction. One of four inducing fields (unique blue, unique green, unique yellow, unique white) was foveally viewed for 5 sec followed immediately by a 400 msec reference stimulus of the same size (0.75 deg) and spatial location as the inducing field. The reference stimulus was 3 or 5 td and appeared achromatic to the observer when viewed without the inducing field. After presentation of this temporal sequence, the observers described the reference stimulus by assigning percentages to the terms red, green, yellow, blue, white and black. The range of inducing field intensities was -0.4-3.2 log td. Both chromatic and achromatic induction occurred at low illuminance levels of the inducing fields. As the illuminance of the inducing field increased, the reference stimulus gradually became blacker and the chromatic components less prominent. The minimum illuminance level at which the reference appeared 100% black was the same for the four different inducing fields.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Long-term variability in the spectral loci of unique blue and unique yellow.

The spectral loci of both unique blue and unique yellow were measured over a 16-month period. Using the method of constant stimuli, two neutrally adapted observers made forced-choice green or red responses to monochromatic test flashes. Results showed a consistent difference between observers (about 5 nm), considerable within-subject variability (standard deviation 3 nm), and significant long-term drifts (greater than 5 nm) in spectral loci. These results demonstrate the importance of frequently redetermining unique-hue loci when they are used as baselines in chromatic contrast and adaptation studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Psychophysical determination of intraocular light scatter as a function of wavelength.

Intraocular scatter of monochromatic light was assessed in three subjects (ages 21, 38, and 43) using the equivalent veil technique. For an annular stimulus of 3 deg inner and 8 deg outer diameter, the scattered illuminance at the center averaged 1.2% of the surround and was independent of wavelength from 420 to 650 nm. These results are inconsistent with predictions of wavelength dependence inherent in recent theories of ocular scatter. We conclude that intraocular scatter is produced by particles or cellular structures substantially larger than the wavelength of light.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Linearity of hue cancellation in sex-linked dichromacy.

The results of several recent studies concur in the finding that for normal trichromats red-green hue-cancellation data obey linearity properties over rather general conditions, but for most observers yellow-blue hue-cancellation data do not. It is of interest to examine the question of cancellation linearity in sex-linked dichromats under the assumption that they represent reduced systems. We measured both the wavelength of the spectral achromatic point over a large range of intensities and yellow-blue hue-cancellation functions over the full spectrum and at several luminance levels in protanopes and deuteranopes. Both sets of data for the two types of dichromat satisfy linearity properties. These results are consistent with a model in which both cone receptor response functions have the same form. Implications for trichromatic opponent-response functions are considered.

Color Perception Tests↗
PubMed1984

Flicker-photometric spectral sensitivity in the presence of chromatic surrounds.

Flicker-photometric spectral sensitivity is measured in the presence and absence of superimposed monochromatic surrounds. Although color appearance depends on surround wavelength, the shape of the flicker-spectral-sensitivity functions are unaffected. These findings indicate both a lack of cone-cone inhibition within the achromatic channel and independence of the achromatic and chromatic channels.

Adult↗