Major study to give sight insights

The largest ever blindness study of its kind to be held in the State is getting under way. It will involve 5,000 middle-aged volunteers.

A research group at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) is seeking volunteers, aged 40-60 years, for research into a form of age-related blindness.

The Macular Pigment Research Group (MPRG) will follow the volunteers for 20-25 years and examine the potential role of the macular pigment in preventing a form of blindness known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Stephen Beatty, director of the MPRG and consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Waterford Regional Hospital, has warned that AMD will turn into an epidemic without medical advances.

Though early onset AMD doesn't noticeably affect vision, late AMD has major implications, with sufferers losing the ability to read, watch television or drive.

"We will have an epidemic on our hands if something is not done to try to prevent AMD occurring," Mr Beatty said.

"Crucial to this is meticulous scientific research in order to help us understand what the causes are and what preventative steps can then be taken."

Dr John Nolan, deputy director of the MPRG, said this was a particularly exciting study.

"It remains relatively unknown that AMD affects up to 70,000 people in Ireland and that more than 200,000 have not yet been diagnosed," he said.

The MPRG is also involved in two other studies and is seeking 500 volunteers.

For details contact the MPRG office at tel: 051-845505 or check www.wit.ie/mprg