PRESS INFORMATION: For Immediate Release
June 8, 2007
‘BABY BOOMERS’ URGED TO GET NEW EYE CHECK TO AVOID GOING BLIND
Britain’s wealthiest citizens - the 55 to 64 year old baby boomer generation - are being urged to include a full eye examination using new technology in their annual health check.
Mr David Crystal, one of Scotland’s leading independent optometrists made his remarks at the unveiling today (June 8, 2007) in his Edinburgh practice of a new machine called the Macuscope, which has been developed in the United States to measure crucial levels of protective macular pigment in the eyes. Mr Crystal’s Canonmills based business is the first practice north of the border to take delivery of the Macuscope.
“Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in people over the age of 50 and currently affects upwards of 500,000 people in the UK and thirty million people worldwide”, said Mr Crystal.
“With the the baby boomer generation now entering old age those numbers are likely to rise significantly in the next two decades and proper eye-care needs to be given priority to prolong a full and rewarding life that will not be blighted unnecessarily by irreversible impairment of sight.”
"There is now compelling evidence that people with low macular pigment levels are at risk later in life. The Macuscope is the first commercial device that measures and monitors macular pigment density. The lower the level of protective macular pigment you have, the greater the risk of developing AMD."
Consultations using the new Macuscope are now available from Mr Crystal’s practice Eye-care Plus for just £25. The test takes as little as 15 minutes and is being advised for all patients over 30 years of age. If low levels of macular pigment are identified, then they can be rebuilt with dietary supplements rich in Meso-Zeaxanthin and Lutein.
Mr Crystal believes that the new Macuscope technology is part of a quantum leap in clinical eyecare that has been pioneered in recent years by independent optometrists both north and south of the border.
“New technology harnessed to a strong professional spirit is allowing this generation of independent optometrists to achieve levels of excellence in clinical eye care never seen before.
“By embracing the Macuscope and other technological breakthroughs such as digital imaging the ‘baby boomers’ can ensure that severely curtailed quality of life through the onset of unnecessary blindness is not their experience - sadly an experience that has been the lot of previous generations even in the recent past.”
"The baby boomer generation is being blessed once again with the opportunity to be first adopters and re-write the rule book in the process - this time for growing old."
Mr Crystal added that while preventative eye care was vital for the over 50s, it was also something that the younger generation should also take seriously when reviewing their annual health regime.
“It is a tough call getting the message across to the thirty somethings that they should get an annual health check for their eyes, just to be on the safe side. But for the ‘baby boomers’ it shouldn't be an option".
LINKS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
1 Press background information (link) - http://www.edinburgh-eyetests.co.uk/NewTechnologyCombatsBlindness.pdf
2 Macuscope US television news broadcast report May 2007 (link) - http://www.edinburgh-eyetests.co.uk/macuscopeMayUSnews.wmv
3 Picture shows: David Crystal and writer Antonia Swinson, who took the precaution of having her eyes tested for macular degeneration with the new Macuscope.
David Crystal
Telephone: 0131 556 7836
email david.crystal@eyecare-plus.co.uk
June 8, 2007
‘BABY BOOMERS’ URGED TO GET NEW EYE CHECK TO AVOID GOING BLIND
Britain’s wealthiest citizens - the 55 to 64 year old baby boomer generation - are being urged to include a full eye examination using new technology in their annual health check.
Mr David Crystal, one of Scotland’s leading independent optometrists made his remarks at the unveiling today (June 8, 2007) in his Edinburgh practice of a new machine called the Macuscope, which has been developed in the United States to measure crucial levels of protective macular pigment in the eyes. Mr Crystal’s Canonmills based business is the first practice north of the border to take delivery of the Macuscope.
“Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in people over the age of 50 and currently affects upwards of 500,000 people in the UK and thirty million people worldwide”, said Mr Crystal.
“With the the baby boomer generation now entering old age those numbers are likely to rise significantly in the next two decades and proper eye-care needs to be given priority to prolong a full and rewarding life that will not be blighted unnecessarily by irreversible impairment of sight.”
"There is now compelling evidence that people with low macular pigment levels are at risk later in life. The Macuscope is the first commercial device that measures and monitors macular pigment density. The lower the level of protective macular pigment you have, the greater the risk of developing AMD."
Consultations using the new Macuscope are now available from Mr Crystal’s practice Eye-care Plus for just £25. The test takes as little as 15 minutes and is being advised for all patients over 30 years of age. If low levels of macular pigment are identified, then they can be rebuilt with dietary supplements rich in Meso-Zeaxanthin and Lutein.
Mr Crystal believes that the new Macuscope technology is part of a quantum leap in clinical eyecare that has been pioneered in recent years by independent optometrists both north and south of the border.
“New technology harnessed to a strong professional spirit is allowing this generation of independent optometrists to achieve levels of excellence in clinical eye care never seen before.
“By embracing the Macuscope and other technological breakthroughs such as digital imaging the ‘baby boomers’ can ensure that severely curtailed quality of life through the onset of unnecessary blindness is not their experience - sadly an experience that has been the lot of previous generations even in the recent past.”
"The baby boomer generation is being blessed once again with the opportunity to be first adopters and re-write the rule book in the process - this time for growing old."
Mr Crystal added that while preventative eye care was vital for the over 50s, it was also something that the younger generation should also take seriously when reviewing their annual health regime.
“It is a tough call getting the message across to the thirty somethings that they should get an annual health check for their eyes, just to be on the safe side. But for the ‘baby boomers’ it shouldn't be an option".
LINKS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
1 Press background information (link) - http://www.edinburgh-eyetests.co.uk/NewTechnologyCombatsBlindness.pdf
2 Macuscope US television news broadcast report May 2007 (link) - http://www.edinburgh-eyetests.co.uk/macuscopeMayUSnews.wmv
3 Picture shows: David Crystal and writer Antonia Swinson, who took the precaution of having her eyes tested for macular degeneration with the new Macuscope.
David Crystal
Telephone: 0131 556 7836
email david.crystal@eyecare-plus.co.uk