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MacuChek™ OFFERS THE ONLY AFFORDABLE COMMERCIAL INSTRUMENT THAT DETECTS A MAJOR RISK FACTOR FOR AGE-RELATED Macular Degeneration The MACUSCOPE™aides in early detection of low macular protective pigment, one of the primary risk factors for age-related Macular Dengenration West Bloomfield, Mich. - April 2005 - Age-related Macular Dengenration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in the world today, affecting more than 30 million people. According to the National Eye Institute, this figure could soon approach epidemic proportions, easily doubling in the next 20 to 30 years. It can severely affect a person's central vision making it difficult to read, drive or perform other activities that require fine, detailed vision. But now, proactive detection of one of the main risk factors, a low level of macular protective pigment, has been made possible with the introduction of the revolutionary new MACUSCOPE™. Once only available to medical researchers, MacuChek™ will give a presentation of the device to the commercial medical industry in Chicago on May 12-14. The MACUSCOPE™ is the only affordable commercial instrument available today that accurately tracks pigment density changes in the macula, giving medical professionals the ability to place patients into either high-risk or low-risk categories. Low levels of the macular protective pigment mean a higher risk for Macular Dengenration. After a less than five-minute, non-invasive and painless exam, the MACUSCOPE™ will give medical professionals an opportunity to take a proactive approach to AMD before it is too late. Gone untested, low pigment density can lead to damage of the macula, the central part of the retina, which is responsible for central vision and the ability to see fine detail. It is recommended for all adults to be tested for the disease, especially those with a family history of Macular Dengenration. Upon evaluation, a proactive treatment program using ocular vitamins can be developed by the medical professional for patients at high risk in an attempt to manage the macular protective pigment deficiency. Research has proven that treatment with specific ocular vitamins can increase macular protective pigment density within six months. The MACUSCOPE™ is user-friendly for all eye-care and medical specialists, including general and family practitioners for basic physical examinations. "Early detection of disease contributors to age-related Macular Dengenration is critical to preserving one's vision," said Dr. Lloyd Snider, optometric director of MacuChek™. "Finding a potential precursor before symptoms start is a major breakthrough in controlling AMD." "The MACUSCOPE™ uses flicker photometry, the only scientifically validated method of measuring macular protective pigment density. Up until now, early detection of low pigment density was not available to the general medical community," said Richard A. Bone, PhD, professor at Florida International University. "This device offers us the possibility to proactively detect the problem before the onset of the disease," Bone continued. Added Dr. Michael Greenley, ophthalmology director of MacuChek™, "Using proprietary and patented technology, our MACUSCOPE™ is now commercially available for use by all eye care and medical professionals. With its use, pigment deficiencies in the macula, proven to be a major contributor to the risk of AMD, are now detectable and treatable." The new MACUSCOPE™ will be presented at the Midwest Vision Congress & Expo in Chicago from May 12 - 14. The product will be available through distributors beginning June 1, but may be ordered before then. For more information on MACUSCOPE,™ please call (248) 855-6777, or visit www.MacuChek™.com.
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