A novel computational model for human macular pigment optical density and its relationship to foveal structure

Gary P. Misson; Stephen J. Anderson; Richard A. Armstrong; Rebekka Heitmar

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-21681-4

A novel computational model for human macular pigment optical density and its relationship to foveal structure

Gary P. Misson, Stephen J. Anderson, Richard A. Armstrong, Rebekka Heitmar

Aston University

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Abstract

Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) models enhance understanding of macular xanthophyll distribution, particularly relevant to age-related macular degeneration. This study investigates an existing model and introduces a novel, more accurate and biologically relevant approach. MPOD spatial profiles of 48 eyes were obtained using dual-wavelength autofluorescence imaging, with structural data from OCT and OCT-angiography. MPOD data were analyzed using (a) an existing sum of exponential and Gaussian model (MEG) and (b) a novel sum of three Gaussians model (M3G). Extracted parameters generated individualized MPOD models, from which gradients and volumes were derived. M3G-derived variables were analyzed against OCT/OCTA data using factor analysis and multiple regression. M3G demonstrated a superior fit to MPOD data (SSE = 2.60 × 10− 3) compared to MEG, (SSE = 35.7 × 10− 3) enabling automated fitting consistent over small and large datasets. M3G provided meaningful variables, including MPOD gradients, volumes and critical point eccentricities. Correlations included those between dependent variables of critical point eccentricities and central macular pigment volume with foveal avascular zone and foveal pit radii.The excellent data fit of M3G enables automated extraction of physiologically relevant parameters. Its three-component configuration is consistent with the location of macular xanthophylls. M3G is similar to models of foveal structure, suggesting a fundamental relationship.

Original language	English
Article number	37865
Number of pages	11
Journal	Scientific Reports
Volume	15
Early online date	29 Oct 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-21681-4
Publication status	Published - 29 Oct 2025

Bibliographical note

Copyright © The Author(s) 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

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10.1038/s41598-025-21681-4Licence: CC BY 4.0

A novel computational model for human macular pigment optical density and its relationship to foveal structure
Copyright © The Author(s) 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Final published version, 1.73 MBLicence: CC BY 4.0

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title = "A novel computational model for human macular pigment optical density and its relationship to foveal structure",

abstract = "Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) models enhance understanding of macular xanthophyll distribution, particularly relevant to age-related macular degeneration. This study investigates an existing model and introduces a novel, more accurate and biologically relevant approach. MPOD spatial profiles of 48 eyes were obtained using dual-wavelength autofluorescence imaging, with structural data from OCT and OCT-angiography. MPOD data were analyzed using (a) an existing sum of exponential and Gaussian model (MEG) and (b) a novel sum of three Gaussians model (M3G). Extracted parameters generated individualized MPOD models, from which gradients and volumes were derived. M3G-derived variables were analyzed against OCT/OCTA data using factor analysis and multiple regression. M3G demonstrated a superior fit to MPOD data (SSE = 2.60 × 10− 3) compared to MEG, (SSE = 35.7 × 10− 3) enabling automated fitting consistent over small and large datasets. M3G provided meaningful variables, including MPOD gradients, volumes and critical point eccentricities. Correlations included those between dependent variables of critical point eccentricities and central macular pigment volume with foveal avascular zone and foveal pit radii.The excellent data fit of M3G enables automated extraction of physiologically relevant parameters. Its three-component configuration is consistent with the location of macular xanthophylls. M3G is similar to models of foveal structure, suggesting a fundamental relationship.",

author = "Misson, {Gary P.} and Anderson, {Stephen J.} and Armstrong, {Richard A.} and Rebekka Heitmar",

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N1 - Copyright © The Author(s) 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.

PY - 2025/10/29

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N2 - Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) models enhance understanding of macular xanthophyll distribution, particularly relevant to age-related macular degeneration. This study investigates an existing model and introduces a novel, more accurate and biologically relevant approach. MPOD spatial profiles of 48 eyes were obtained using dual-wavelength autofluorescence imaging, with structural data from OCT and OCT-angiography. MPOD data were analyzed using (a) an existing sum of exponential and Gaussian model (MEG) and (b) a novel sum of three Gaussians model (M3G). Extracted parameters generated individualized MPOD models, from which gradients and volumes were derived. M3G-derived variables were analyzed against OCT/OCTA data using factor analysis and multiple regression. M3G demonstrated a superior fit to MPOD data (SSE = 2.60 × 10− 3) compared to MEG, (SSE = 35.7 × 10− 3) enabling automated fitting consistent over small and large datasets. M3G provided meaningful variables, including MPOD gradients, volumes and critical point eccentricities. Correlations included those between dependent variables of critical point eccentricities and central macular pigment volume with foveal avascular zone and foveal pit radii.The excellent data fit of M3G enables automated extraction of physiologically relevant parameters. Its three-component configuration is consistent with the location of macular xanthophylls. M3G is similar to models of foveal structure, suggesting a fundamental relationship.

AB - Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) models enhance understanding of macular xanthophyll distribution, particularly relevant to age-related macular degeneration. This study investigates an existing model and introduces a novel, more accurate and biologically relevant approach. MPOD spatial profiles of 48 eyes were obtained using dual-wavelength autofluorescence imaging, with structural data from OCT and OCT-angiography. MPOD data were analyzed using (a) an existing sum of exponential and Gaussian model (MEG) and (b) a novel sum of three Gaussians model (M3G). Extracted parameters generated individualized MPOD models, from which gradients and volumes were derived. M3G-derived variables were analyzed against OCT/OCTA data using factor analysis and multiple regression. M3G demonstrated a superior fit to MPOD data (SSE = 2.60 × 10− 3) compared to MEG, (SSE = 35.7 × 10− 3) enabling automated fitting consistent over small and large datasets. M3G provided meaningful variables, including MPOD gradients, volumes and critical point eccentricities. Correlations included those between dependent variables of critical point eccentricities and central macular pigment volume with foveal avascular zone and foveal pit radii.The excellent data fit of M3G enables automated extraction of physiologically relevant parameters. Its three-component configuration is consistent with the location of macular xanthophylls. M3G is similar to models of foveal structure, suggesting a fundamental relationship.

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VL - 15

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

M1 - 37865

ER -

A novel computational model for human macular pigment optical density and its relationship to foveal structure

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