The Mater Private Hospital in Dublin uses leading-edge technology and innovative procedures to offercomprehensive ophthalmic evaluation and treatment, from routine eye exams to urgent eye care. The hospital houses the largest private eye centre in the country. Employing 14 consultant ophthalmologists, they treat a range of complex eye diseases. The clinic was set up in December 2013 by consultant ophthalmologist Catriona Kirwan to treat patients with low vision (Figure 1).
[CaptionComponent="1752"]Microperimetry
Earlier this year, the Mater took delivery of the MAIA microperimeter to assist in the management of maculopathy patients. By using stimuli of reduced separation and corresponding to the parafoveal region, microperimetry allows the extent of functional loss to be mapped with accuracy.
This then allows the existing preferred retinal locus (PRL), to which the patient might already have adapted, to be established.
Figure 2 shows where a patient has adapted to a PRL previously that now falls within a more recently atrophied region of retina. This is why the fixation (represented by the blue dots) is so poor (Figure 2).
[CaptionComponent="1753"]The Maia is then able to help, using an auditory feedback signal, a more appropriate and stable PRL that might then help in the ongoing eccentric viewing training of the patient. Note on Figure 3 how much more stable fixation is with the newly established PRL.
[CaptionComponent="1754"]Macular degeneration is not a static disease and the ability to establish and readapt to different PRLs over time is an important step in helping those with atrophic macular degeneration.
Catriona Kirwan, consultant ophthalmologist at the Mater Private Hospital, said: ‘The MAIA is an invaluable tool that allows us to assess the macula in ways I could only have dreamed of.’
Jacqui Kenyon, product manager for HS-UK, distributor of the MAIA, said: ‘The addition of the MAIA allows Mater Private Hospital to provide PRL training for patients with AMD, as well as using it to look at macular function.
‘PRL training will identify an optimal retinal area to train eccentric viewers to improve fixation capability, enabling them to read more easily and improving their quality of life.
‘We are delighted with the success of the MAIA in the UK. Having been launched in November 2012, we have had unprecedented interest in the product and fantastic feedback from customers.’