Features

Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in people over 50 years of age, affecting an estimated 70,000 people in Ireland and over 13 million people across Europe.

This disease is particularly frustrating because it results in a loss of central vision. In other words, someone with AMD cannot see what they are looking directly at, and are therefore unable to read, watch TV, recognize familiar faces, or drive. The number of people affected by AMD is increasing largely because we are all living longer.

Investigating macular pigment

The Macular Pigment Research Group (MPRG) was setup in 2002 by ophthalmologist Mr. Stephen Beatty MD and research scientist Dr. Orla O' Donovan with the support of the Waterford Institute of Technology. The focus of the MPRG is to investigate macular pigment, a dietary pigment found in the eye, and its potential role in preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and in enhancing visual performance.

The MPRG is now considered to be one of the leading research centres investigating macular pigment in the world, and has received both national and international recognition, reflected in research prizes, scholarships, grant support, and peer-reviewed publications.

Numerous studies, which are being conducted by the investigators of the group, have one and only one aim of arresting or preventing this degenerative disorder although the approach taken by each study varies from identifying high risk factors in age-related maculopathy (ARM), the early stages of the disease, to antioxidant supplementation in patients who have already developed ARM

Over the last number of years, the MPRG have welcomed over 1,000 research volunteers from Waterford and its surrounding areas. The MPRG requires the continued participation of these volunteers, along with the recruitment of new people (of all ages), to continue its work in the various research areas.

The most recent study being conducted by the MPRG, which is co-funded by the Health Research Board and Fighting Blindness Ireland, aims to collect baseline data for the first longitudinal study into AMD in Ireland. The study hopes to collect research data on over 1,000 people between 40 and 60 years, who will be followed for a period of 20 to 25 years. This will be the largest study of its kind to be carried out in Ireland, and indeed the world, and is a culmination of a sustained and focused campaign by the MPRG to secure statutory funding for scientific research into AMD. The MPRG continue to actively pursue further funding in order to attain critical mass.

The MPRG currently consists of thirteen members five volunteers and seven employees. The researchers within the MPRG cover a wide variety of disciplines including ophthalmology, vision science, optometry, chemical and biological sciences, statistics, and nutrition. This research group is led by Mr. Stephen Beatty MD, Director and Dr. John Nolan PhD, deputy Director who are considered to be opinion leaders in the field of macular pigment. Ms. LeighAnne Maddock, Project Manager, and Dr. Orla O'Donovan, Co-Founder and Senior Research Academic play a vital role in the progression of this group and ensuring the group remains second to none.

The Macular Pigment Research Laboratory

In September 2006, the MPRG opened a new and modernised research laboratory at the Waterford Institute of Technology's Cork Road Campus. The new laboratory is furnished with state-of-the-art research equipment, facilitating students in their work towards masters/doctoral degrees, while remaining a comfortable and welcoming environment for the volunteers.

This laboratory houses instruments for measuring macular pigment, such as the Maculometer™, the Macuscope™, and the Densitometer™. In addition, the laboratory allows for detailed dietary and serum analysis of the antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthin), which make up the macular pigment.

OPTICIAN in conjunction with the MPRG will be publishing a series of major CET articles over the coming year describing the very latest in research findings concerning nutrition and the eye and aiming to develop the best and most up to date advice that may be offered to patients by eye care practitioners.

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