MacuScope and MacuShield

Major Opticians are stockists of MacuShield, a great defence against the onset of age-related macular degeneration at prices lower than the big pharmacies. We also offer the MacuScope - a way of providing early detection for risk of age-related macular degenertion. Major Opticians were the first practice in Europe to have the Macuscope.

To the left is a picture of Trevor McCormack, president of MacuVision, presenting the MacuScope to Philip Major. To the right is a tub of MacuShield.

Major Opticians have always been at the forefront of technology and we believe the MacuScope is a great advance in early detection of, and protection against, Age-related Macular Degeneration.The test is painless and takes about five minutes. We couple the MacuScope assessment with a SightRisk Analysis which gives you a real idea of your potential to develop this sight-threatening condition and we can then offer advice on reducing that risk. The cost of the MacuScope/SightRisk assessment is just €20.00. Here is a video clip about it.

There are three macular pigments - Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Meso-Zeaxanthin. These are located at the macula, the most important part of the retina, responsible for giving us our clearest vision. It is this part of the retina that allows us to read, watch TV, recognise people, drive, use computers and so on. MacuShield is the only supplement containing all three of the macular pigments. Be aware that a product called MacuShield in the USA may well be a different, and lesser product.

The macular pigments have two main functions.

Firstly, they help to prevent  damage from free radicals - unstable, damaging molecules which are the by-products of cells breathing. By mopping up these free radicals, the macular pigments help to prevent some of the ageing process at the macula.

Secondly, these yellow pigments help to protect the macula from the damaging effects of blue (energetic) light by absorbing it before it reaches the macula.

Current research at the Waterford Institute of Technology by the Macular Pigment Research Group also shows probable benefits to vision in general - for example, reducing the effects on glare and perhaps even improving vision.

These pigments are dietary in origin, being found in such foods as spinach, some fish, green leafy vegetables among others. Often, modern diets don't contain enough of these foodstuffs, and the levels of macular pigment are low. The Macuscope was launched at Major Opticians. It is the first commercially available method of measuring tha macular pigment levels. If pigment levels are low, then it is recommended that various steps can be taken.

A change in diet, quitting smoking (smoking lowers the levels of macular pigment), and the use of the dietary supplement Macushield are all possible methods of improving the protection of the macula at the back of the eye.

Macushield is the only dietary supplement available that contains all three macular pigments. Other preparations which contain one or more pigments include I-Caps and Ocuvite Lutein. None of these, however, contain Meso-Zeaxanthin, which is probably the most important of the macular pigments.

You can now buy Macushield online.  Click here to purchase Macushield.