Survey

Researchers at The University of Manchester, UK have been investigating the role of the Macular Pigment and its relation to ARMD for many years.  It is suspected that a low level of macular pigment increases the chance of suffering Macular Degeneration in later life therefore some easy method of assessing levels of macular pigment in an individual, and hence their risk, is well worthwhile.   Link to recent publications

Based on their free view Portable Spectral Sensitivity Instrument, FOSSE, (Perception 19, 359, 1990) they developed a simple technique to assess macular pigment density.

Further research has led to the development of a completely new instrument which is designed specifically to measure levels of macular pigment in the eye and eliminate the major problems encountered with conventional HFP techniques. For more detailed information have a look at the article in the Optician, Jan 2008.

It is  a compact low cost instrument which is very easy to use and the test now only takes a few minutes. It requires minimal operator intervention and many subjects are able to carry out the test totally unaided.

In a recent study Patients, with early stages of ARMD in only one eye, together with age-matched none-affected subjects, were given a lutein supplement, which is known to be a vital element in supporting the macular pigment.  The findings indicated that all reacted positively, and macular pigment density increased. Some individuals reacted quickly whilst others seemed to take several months before the macular pigment density increased.

These preliminary studies are now complete and the low cost device is being produced commercially and is currently undergoing trials in the USA. The unit, known in the USA as QuantifEYE^® has been developed to the stage where it can be incorporated, not only into standard optometric eye examinations, but more widespread in, for example, pharmaceutical outlets.

QuantifEYE^® (in the USA),  Tinsley M|POD (in the UK)
Developed by researchers at Manchester University and manufactured by Tinsley Medical Instruments in the UK, the American company ZeaVision, LLC, has introduced a proprietary program for Eye Care Professionals that can quickly and easily assess risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

QuantifEYE^®  (Tinsley M|POD in the UK) is both CE approved and registered in the USA with the FDA as a Class 1 device and manufactured to the highest standards in the UK.

Breaking News - October 2007.   The Tinsley M|POD is now available in the UK and is being launched by Buchmann UK.  Visit their website for more information.

Research Note:
Although widely regarded by many as a 'Gold Standard' Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry is reliant on a subject's response. A Modified Scaning Laser Opthalmascope (SLO) is capable of measuring directly the amount of Macular Pigment present without any subjective component but unfortunately is extremely expensive.  Most researchers now believe this to be the only true 'Gold Standard' by which other devices may be compared.

The Tinsley M|POD, (QuantifEYE^® in the USA)  has previously been validated against other methods but current research by the Manchester team is investigating the level of absolute accuracy when compared with an SLO and the results will shortly be published.  It is expected that for an instrument of such low cost the unit will turn out to provide one of the most reliable measures of MP outside of the laboratory.