News Tuesday, March 06, 2007 – Time: 11:05:49 AM EST Local optometric office unveils device to detect Macular Degeneration risk level By Walt Frank, wfrank@altoonamirror.com A medical instrument that helps doctors assess the risk for developing Macular Degeneration – the leading cause of legal blindness – will be unveiled to the public this week. Mountain View Eye Associates – comprised of Doctors Fred Petrunak, Michael Satryan and Shawn Jones – is the first optometric office in the United States to receive a MacuScope™, said Dr. David S. Segel, president and chief executive officer of MacuChek, West Bloomfield, Mich., which manufactures the instrument. "The first operational one in the United States is right here in Altoona because of the foresight of the doctors in this practice. These guys understood what needed to be done," Segel said. The MacuScope™ accurately tracks pigment density changes in the macula, giving medical professionals the ability to place patients into high- or low-risk categories. Low levels of the macular protective pigment mean a higher risk for Macular Degeneration, which affects about 30 million people. The test takes about three minutes, and the results are available immediately, so the doctor can talk to the patient about any a need for treatment, Segel said. 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. If treated, the patient should be rechecked in six months, Segel said. "Six months can make a difference depending on stresses, lifestyle changes, exercise and diet," Petrunak said. "Research has shown with the supplements, pigment levels go up for over 90 percent of people who take them." The MacuScope™ test, which costs $30, is a preventive measure. "Eye care professionals didn't have a preventive measure. We are giving them the first preventive tool for Macular Degeneration," Segel said. Petrunak learned about the MacuScope™ during a meeting of optometrists in Acapulco in April. "Fred listened to it [presentation] and understood the science of it. He told Mike [Satryan] about it, and they went to our booth," Segel said. "They understood the importance of having it in their office. They were the first to sign up for it." Mountain View plans Thursday to begin offering the test, which is not for everyone. "It is not for people who already have significant Macular Degeneration or for people who have cataracts," Petrunak said. "You should start around the age of 21 and have it done about every four years to see if your levels are on par." Segel said there will be 22 MauScopes delivered throughout the United States this week. Officials of the American Optometric Association are taking a wait-and-see approach before forming an opinion on the new instrument. "It is easy to do. It doesn't hurt and you are able to perform it on the elderly population group." said Dr. Kerry Beebe of Brainerd, Minn., chairman of the AOA's clinical care group executive committee. "We need to see more patients utilize this and build data [before forming an opinion].'' In Minnesota, 25 percent of the people older than 70 have Macular Degeneration, Beebe said. The MacuScope™ may help drum up additional business for Mountain View, but that was not the reason for purchasing the equipment. "We thought it would make a difference for our patients, that's why we did it," Petrunak said. Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
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