NEW TEST FOR AMD AND NUTRITION

The Macular Degeneration Partnership
September 13, 1999
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ARE ALL THOSE VITAMINS PROTECTING YOU FROM AMD?
Recent studies have suggested that age-related macular degeneration can be prevented or slowed by changing diet or taking supplements. Now, there is a new instrument that may be useful for the early identification of individuals at risk for AMD. The technology also documents the levels of antioxidants in the retina.

BACKGROUND
According to research done by Johanna M. Seddon, M.D., individuals with high blood levels and high dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin have a much lower rate of wet AMD. . These carotenoids are so heavily concentrated in the healthy retina that they actually turn the macula yellow. The proper name for the macula is "macula lutea", which means "yellow spot".

Lutein is present in dark green leafy vegetables, especially spinach, kale, collard greens and broccoli. Zeaxanthin is found in brightly colored yellow and orange foodstuffs, like corn, peaches and nectarines. Many people changed their diets or started antioxidant vitamins in an effort to get more lutein and zeaxanthin. But how do we know if all this nutrition actually gets to the eye and does any good?

A NEW TEST
A novel approach was presented this week by Paul S. Bernstein, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Utah School of Medicine. Together with his colleagues, Werner Gellermann, Ph.D. and Robert McClane, he developed a technique to measure the carotenoids in the living eye.

A device called a Raman spectroscope requires the patient to look into a test light for just one second. The light is slightly absorbed by the eye and then scattered or reflected back to the equipment. The reflected light can be analyzed for a variety of carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin, because they each have a very specific "signature", originating from vibrations within their molecular structure.

Clinical trials of this new technique will begin later this year. According to Dr. Bernstein, "Ultimately, our hope is that this technology will become as commonplace as measurement of intraocular pressure and visual fields for the assessment of risk for glaucoma." If a patient has low levels of macular pigment, they would be encouraged to increase consumption of lutein and zeaxanthin. Their eyes could then be assessed with follow-up tests. The device also has the potential to monitor patients participating in long term studies on dietary supplementation. Then, we'll have a clear answer to the question, "Do vitamins help?" Dr. Bernstein presented at the Science Writers Seminar, sponsored by Research to Prevent Blindness, which was held recently in Los Angeles.

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