Centre for Eye Research Australia tests app to detect wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

MELBOURNE researchers are testing whether a simple computer game can detect early signs of the most common cause of blindness in Australia.

Professor Robyn Guymer checks Ron Kirkham's eyes at the Centre for Eye Research Australia.

MELBOURNE researchers are testing whether a simple computer game can detect early signs of the nation’s most common cause of blindness.

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE ENGINEERS DEVELOP UNEVEN-SURFACE CAMERA TO AID BLIND

Early detection of wet age-related macular degeneration is crucial.

But Professor Robyn Guymer, head of macular research at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, said the paper test commonly given was “pretty pathetic”.

“People don’t do it properly, they don’t act on it. We have very good drugs, but you’ve got to be treated early,” she said.

“If their vision is down, we often can’t get it back up again,” Prof Guymer said.

After initial testing with a prototype app, the CERA team engaged ophthalmologist Dr George Kong and Professor Algis Vingrys, from the University of Melbourne’s Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, to develop a computer test of central vision for AMD. They had developed a similar test of peripheral vision for glaucoma.

Early detection of wet age-related macular degeneration is crucial.

“Having the test on a tablet means their doctor can remotely see what they’re doing,” Prof Guymer said.

“You can send them an alert if they haven’t done it in a while, and you can monitor their progress over time.

“Our aim is to pick up the very first signs of AMD before a lot of vision is lost, so we can keep it good.

“Otherwise, they end up not being able to read or drive, and they lose the ability to recognise faces quite quickly.”

The CERA team is seeking funding for a randomised study of about 200 participants to compare how effective the new app is in detecting initial signs of AMD when compared with the standard paper test.

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