1 A nine letter word for hope

2 American Foundation for the Blind Headlines

3 MacuScope TM  Accurately measures a patient’s Macular Protective Pigment Density (MPPD)  Low MPPD is a major risk factor for Macular Degeneration and is modifiable  Pigment deficiency can NOW be identified and monitored decades before clinical signs and/or symptoms appear

4 The Science

5 The Facts Overwhelming body of evidence that:  Yellow MPP blocks high energy blue light –has strong antioxidative properties –resides anterior to the RPE layer and photoreceptors

6 Concentration of Macular Pigments  Consists solely of 3 carotenoids: Lutein (L), Meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) & Zeaxanthin (Z)  MZ is the dominant carotenoid at the fovea and is the most potent antioxidant in the macula

7 Link to AMD  AMD Patients have low MPPD - a major risk factor  Reasons for low MPPD include: –Genetics –Smoking –Dietary insufficiency –Obesity –Inability to absorb –Lack of ability to convert L to MZ

8 Published in Exp Eye Res. December 2006 Age and Macular Pigment

9 Published in Exp Eye Res. December 2006 Cigarette Smoking and Macular Pigment

10 Published in Exp Eye Res. December 2006 Family History of AMD and Macular Pigment

11 Nutraceutical Supplementation  Repigmentation of the macula reduces the risk of developing AMD –Objective: prevent future permanent and cumulative damage  Appropriate nutraceutical supplementation can rebuild Macular Pigment –a formulary containing all 3 carotenoids as found in LMZ 3: 10mg Lutein: 10 mg Meso-zeaxanthin: 2 mg Zeaxanthin  Measurable repigmentation can occur in as little as 6 months and usually plateaus in 2 years

12 AREDS Report 22  Archives of Ophthalmology, Sept. ’07  Evaluated dietary intake of carotenoids, vitamins A, C and E and their relationship to the progression of AMD  Conclusion: Only dietary intake of carotenoids correlated with a decreased rate of progression for any of the four stages of AMD

13 Leading Expert  John Nolan BSc, PhD –Fulbright University of Georgia –Deputy Director & Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Waterford Institute of Technology  PhD thesis "Determinants of Macular Pigment in Healthy Subjects" was the largest cross-sectional study of its type in the world  Significant findings from his thesis: –Healthy middle-aged offspring of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have a significant lack of macular pigment –This finding suggests that the observed lack of pigment may predispose the sons and daughters of AMD sufferers to this disease –Appropriate dietary modification may delay, or even prevent the onset of disease

14 Leading Expert  Richard A. Bone PhD, Professor, Dept. of Physics, Florida International University  Research Interests: Experimental Biophysics - Physics of the eye and visual system: MP and its possible relationship with AMD; non-invasive measurement of the MP; Cumulative light distribution on the human retina.  Recent Publications: –Bone, Landrum, Guerra, and Ruiz. (2003) Lutein and zeaxanthin dietary supplements raise macular pigment… J. Nutr. 133, –Krinsky, Landrum, Bone. (2003) Biologic mechanisms of the protective role of lutein… Annu. Rev. Nutr. 23, –Bone, Landrum (2004) Heterochromatic flicker photometery. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 430, –Bone, Landrum, Gibert. (2004) Macular pigment and the edge hypothesis of flicker photometry. Vision Res. 44, –Rosenthal, Kim, de Monastario, Thompson, Bone et al (2006) Dose-ranging study of lutein…Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 47, – Bone, Landrum, Cao, Howard, Alvarez-Calderon. (2006) Macular pigment response…Nutr. Metab. 4:12. –Bone, Brener, Gibert (2007) Macular pigment, photopigments, and melanin…Vision Res. 47, Bone and Draper (2007) Optical anisotropy of the human cornea…Applied Optics 46,

15 “It’s a great tool for identifying patients at risk for AMD. There is great relief on their faces when they get the results and find out they are not at risk. The thing patients fear most is going blind. For those who are at risk, they’re thrilled that there is something that can be done about it through supplementation and re-testing six months later.” “We are seen as the technological leader in the community because no one else has this. We’re getting patients from across the state wanting to take the test.” Elaine Happ OD, Monticello, MN Testimonials on Technology

16 “The MacuScope uses technology that needs to be available in every practice. It allows doctors to provide preventative eye care which may be vital to keeping quality vision for our patients. Our MacuScope raises the standard of care we provide and has been a welcome addition to our practice.” Wes Kemp, O.D., Bolivar, MO Testimonials on Technology

17 “Trying to prevent blindness is a big part of what we do. You feel good about being an O.D. when a patient returns for their six month re-check, their macular protective pigment has increased, and you get a great big thank you! It’s wonderful to give patients hope” Harriet Pelton, O.D., Bloomfield Twp, MI Testimonials on Technology

18 Help your patients at risk for AMD The MacuScope TM Helping to Preserve the World’s Vision Amsler Grid with Advanced AMD