Aston uses colour test to detect nAMD

Researchers at Aston University are studying whether a simple colour test can detect the early onset of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Dr Frank Eperjesi at the School of Life & Health Sciences will lead the study to examine whether nAMD can be identified before patients begin to show symptoms. With the number of nAMD cases expected to rise by almost a third in the UK by 2020, researchers believe the study could have a lasting impact.

Dr Eperjesi is working with Dr Antonio Calcagni on the project, which has £297,000 funding from the Dunhill Medical Trust. The three-year prospective study will involve 130 participants with nAMD in one eye, who are at a high risk of developing nAMD in the other eye (12-15 per cent yearly risk).