MPS II Macular Pigment Density Screener
Untreated macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in our senior population, impacting the lives of over 1 in 4 of those over the age of 75 and up to 50% once over 85 years old.
AMD is an age related eye disease that runs in families, and is a leading cause of blindness in our aging population. There is no cure for this ocular disease, and AMD related vision loss is cannot usually be recovered.
If AMD is detected early, there are treatments and supplements that can be taken to reduce your risk of vision loss, so routine eye exams are essential.
While researchers have not yet discovered a cure for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), there are treatment options which prevent the disease from progressing to blindness, and in some cases, they can even improve vision. It’s important to have an open discussion with your eye doctor about the risks and limitations of AMD treatments.
Types of Macular Degeneration:
There are 2 basic types of AMD, the wet form and the dry form.
- Dry macular degeneration is considered the less aggressive form of AMD. It typically progresses much more slowly, and the level of eyesight damage is less severe. Dry AMD is detected during routine eye exams, which is why it’s important to have yearly testing. Treating Dry AMD often involves high doses of zinc and antioxidants which have been shown to slow diseases progression.
- Wet macular degeneration is the more severe form of AMD. Call us to book an emergency eye doctor's appointment if you experience a sudden worsening of blurry central vision. Wet AMD occurs when there is abnormal blood vessel growth (angiogenesis), and leakage, which can cause scar tissue to develop. Treatments include laser surgery, injecting light sensitive dyes, or AMD medication injected directly into the eye to inhibit angiogenesis.
MPS II Macular Pigment Density Screener
Reduced macular pigment density has been shown to be a risk factor for age related macular degeneration.
The MPS screener test takes two or three minutes to carry out, to detect of low levels of pigment at the maculae of your eyes. This test will enable our office to provide you with advice on nutrition which may include specific supplements.
Follow up tests will show whether the protective pigment levels increase over time and what the best options are to protect your eyes as much as possible.