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The central portion of the human retina contains a yellow pigment called the Macular Pigment. This pigment helps to protect the sensitive receptors in the retina, particularly from the potentially harmful effect
Researchers at The University of Manchester in the United Kingdom have been investigating the role of Macular Pigment and its relationship to ARMD for many years. It is suspected that low levels of Macular Pigment increases the risk of developing Macular Degeneration in later life.
Further research has led to the development of a completely new screening instrument that is specifically designed to measure the level of Macular Pigment in the eye and eliminate the major problems encountered with conventional Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry techniques. The new instrument is called the Tinsley MPOD and was jointly designed and produced by scientific researchers Dave Carden and Dr Ian Murray and Tinsley research engineer Adrian Church.
 The MPOD is a compact low cost screening instrument that is extremely easy to use and the test takes only a few minutes to perform. It is shown in the illustration to the left with co-inventor Dr Ian Murray.
Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry is not always a satisfactory method of measuring Macular Pigment as it is reliant on the patient's response. A modified Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO) is capable of directly measuring levels of Macular Pigment without subjective response and, although widely regarded as the "Gold Standard" upon which others are measured, this instrument is prohibitively expensive.
The MPOD has been validated against other methods of measuring levels of Macular Pigment and the Manchester research team are investigating the level of absolute accurcay of the MPOD when compared against the SLO. It is expected that, for an instrument of such low cost, the MPOD will turn out to provide one of the most reliable measures of Macular Pigment outside of the laboratory.
The MPOD is now being supplied to opticians' throughout the UK and Eire by the sole distributor Buchmann UK Limited, and the interest recieved from the optical profession has been phenomenal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can provide the test?
The test can be provided by your optician, who can also advise on risk factors and dietary supplements.
How long does the test take?
The test typically takes just three minutes per eye.
Is the test invasive?
No, you simply look into the unit and press a response button when the light starts to flash.
As the device uses flickering lights can people who suffer with epileptic fits take the test?
Yes, the flicker rate used in the test is not dangerous to epileptics.
Is the test distorted if the person wears glasses or contact lenses?
Near vision orrection can be provided by the MPOD instrument so glasses are not necessary. Coloured contact lenses and tinted spectacle lenses can affect the test and should not be worn.
Does colour blindness affect the test?
The test method is not affected by colour.
Should both eyes be tested?
Normally yes, although statistics show little difference between the densities of both eyes.
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