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Macular pigment optical density measurement may be biomarker for AMD risk

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Based on a review of scientific literature and their clinical and research experience, a panel of experts agreed the non-invasive macular pigment optical density measurement has the potential to become a commonly tested biomarker to measure AMD risk.

Kemin Health and Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD, presented expert panel findings on The Value of Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) for Age-Related Eye Diseases and Visual Performance during a press conference at Optometry's Meeting here.

Current evidence supports the hypothesis that an ocular deficiency of lutein and zeaxanthin is partly responsible for AMD and that higher macular levels may protect against AMD, according to a press release from Kemin Health.

At the Kemin Health-sponsored press conference, Dr. Bernstein said he is disappointed that the AREDS 2 study is not evaluating the macular tissue. However, as one of the AREDS 2 clinical investigators, he said his site will be measuring macular pigment levels in its study patients.