According to a new study, researchers are investigating a new technique for mapping the back of the retina and screening for the onset of blindness. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in older people. A team at the University of Utah now report on a technical advance that could be developed into a rapid screen for AMD among people at risk.They could then be fast-tracked for treatment before the condition takes hold.
In Raman scattering, the spatial distribution of retinal pigment can be imaged. Any abnormal patterns, which may indicate AMD, can rapidly be detected. The research is currently being done with human eye tissue, but the knowledge gained will form the basis for population screening. Information of the individual variations in retinal eye pigment patterns could lead to new insights into AMD.
