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New technology detects reduced concentration of carotenoids in the retina
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PARIS — A new, simple and reliable technology allows the detection of patients at risk of developing age-related macular degeneration due to reduced retinal concentrations of carotenoids, according to a surgeon speaking here.
"Raman spectrometry and Flicker technology are widely recognized as reliable means for measuring the concentration of carotenoids in human tissues, but they are complicated and difficult to use. Our system is based on the analysis of RPE (retinal pigment epithelium) reflectivity and has proved reliable at several consecutive time intervals," said Olivier Roche, MD, of Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris.
The use of this instrument allows the detection of patients at risk of developing AMD many years before the onset of the disease. "We can provide these patients with oral supplementation of lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin as a preventive measure for AMD," he said.
The test could be useful in patients with other recognized risk factors, such as family history of AMD, fair complexion, blond hair and pale iris, but even more useful in patients without such recognized risk factors, Dr. Roche noted.