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Macular pigment optical density: biomarker evidence

Macular pigment optical density appears in 1 entry of the OSMF biomarker atlas, covering Gulf War Illness. Across those entries it is reduced in 1. It is currently reported in a single condition in this atlas; cross-condition comparison will be added as the dataset grows. Each row below links to a page with the comparison group, associated symptoms, test details and primary citation.

Gulf War Illness

Where Macular pigment optical density is reported

Also listed as: Retinal carotenoid measure

ConditionDirectionCompared againstAssociated symptomsSource
Gulf War Illness↓ reducedhealthy Gulf War veteran controlsOcular GWI phenotypeBaksh et al. 2021

Frequently asked questions

In which conditions is Macular pigment optical density altered?

In the OSMF atlas Macular pigment optical density is reported in Gulf War Illness. It is reduced in 1 across 1 entries.

Is there a standard clinical test for Macular pigment optical density?

The atlas entries for Macular pigment optical density do not carry a LOINC code, which usually means the marker was measured with research assays or study-specific methods rather than a routine clinical panel.

Is one abnormal Macular pigment optical density result diagnostic?

No single biomarker result is diagnostic of any of these conditions. Findings reflect group averages from published cohorts with substantial overlap between patients and controls.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. (2026). Macular pigment optical density across conditions: biomarker evidence. OSMF Research Tracker. Retrieved October 7, 2026, from https://research.opensourcemed.info/biomarkers/markers/macular-pigment-optical-density.html
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Browse: Biomarker Index · All marker pages · Biomarker Atlas

Disclaimer: Educational synthesis of peer-reviewed research; not medical advice. Findings are group-level and vary with study design. Discuss any result with a qualified clinician.