Macular pigment levels could be key to determining risk of developing AMD

The first-ever local study led by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, which examined 95 Singaporean Chinese participants, revealed that low macular pigment levels may be useful to determine a person's risk of developing Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Channel News Asia

Oct 11, 2014

SINGAPORE: Low macular pigment levels - which is a layer to protect the eye's retina from damage - may be useful to determine a person's risk of developing Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

AMD is a degenerative eye condition that affects a tiny part of the retina at the back of the eye, called the macula. It causes blurring of central vision, but does not lead to total loss of sight and is not painful. It also results in poor vision and thus significantly affects one's quality of life.

This came out of a first-ever local study led by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital which examined 95 Singaporean Chinese participants. The study also found that 15 per cent of the participants who had this condition were older and overweight. Females also had lower levels of macular pigment compared to males.

Launching the AMD Awareness Week, Senior Minister of State for Health Dr Amy Khor said educating Singaporeans about the two types of AMD could improve disease control. "The dry form is more common and slower in progression," added Dr Khor. "It can be controlled by managing modifiable risk factors such as smoking, increasing dietary intake of green leafy vegetables and other measures.

"For the less common wet form of AMD, it is more progressive but vision can be preserved and even improved if the disease is detected early and treated promptly."

In Singapore, Age-related Macular Degeneration is the third most common cause of blindness and low vision for those above 60 years old. It also affects one's quality of life and doctors say that early prevention and detection is crucial to ensure that seniors do not suffer from this condition.

A 2006 study by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH) showed that only 7.3 per cent of Singapore residents interviewed were aware of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). This was much lower than the awareness levels in countries like the United States, Canada and Australia.

But a follow-up study in 2011 showed that awareness levels for AMD had increased to 28 per cent - a four-fold increase over five years. This could be attributed to the increased efforts by eye professionals on raising the awareness of AMD among Singaporeans.