Macular pigment measurement in humans: a new instrument, the Macular Pigment Screener (MPS)

  • Murray, Ian (Participant)
  • David Carden (Participant)
  • Koh, Hui Hiang (Participant)
  • James Feather (Participant)
  • Maria Makridaki (Participant)

Impact: Economic impacts, Health impacts, Societal impacts, Technological impacts

Narrative

Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is by far the leading cause of blindness in older people in the developed world, affecting 30% of those aged over 65, and is set to increase. The naturally-occurring carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) are located in the central retina (macula) and are collectively called the macular pigment (MP). High MP levels confer protection from AMD. Murray and colleagues have developed a new instrument, the Macular Pigment Screener (MPS), which allows regular, non-invasive monitoring of MP in ophthalmic practice. This means that, for the first time, the MPS can show the effect of intervention on the MP, providing a management strategy for AMD patients, and allowing early identification of those at risk of developing AMD. Over 750 instruments have been sold to date, with more than 1M patients in the US alone estimated to be benefiting from routine MP testing.
Impact date2014
Category of impactEconomic impacts, Health impacts, Societal impacts, Technological impacts
Impact levelBenefit

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