Few ocular measurements give you a better picture into eye and overall health like macular pigment optical density (MPOD). As a risk factor for age-related eye health, blood sugar control issues, cognitive challenges, visual performance issues, and more, MPOD measurement is a critical tool for practitioners looking to differentiate themselves with innovative and holistic eye care. That said, many ODs consider MPOD measurement for those patients 40 years old and up, but there are a few reasons you should be testing younger.

Low MPOD Is Not Exclusive to Aging Patients.

MPOD measurement detects the levels of dietary carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein found deep in the eyes. Humans are born with pre-determined amounts of zeaxanthin and lutein, and the body doesn’t make or create these critical antioxidants on its own. Therefore, our levels of dietary zeaxanthin and lutein decline over time unless we sustain them through our diets.

To maintain a healthy macular pigment, it’s recommended to get at least12 milligrams of the dietary carotenoids a day. That can be difficult to achieve even with the healthiest of diets, as dietary zeaxanthin is scarce. Children are notoriously picky eaters, so as you can imagine, it’s difficult for them to sustain a healthy macular pigment by eating those brightly colored fruits and vegetables and leafy greens. This leads many eye care professionals to prescribe supplementation.

Identify and Intervene Earlier.

As mentioned, it’s difficult for patients of all ages to maintain a healthy MPOD, and suboptimal MPOD is a risk factor for many eye and overall health issues. With most health concerns, the earlier it’s identified, the better the chances of mitigating its outcomes. With MPOD measurement, you can identify and quantify a critical risk factor for:

• Blue light protection
• Night driving or day glare issues
• Cognitive health
• Age-related eye health concerns
• Visual challenges related to blood sugar control issues
• Digital eye strain

By identifying and intervening earlier, you can help keep your young and healthy patients healthy. It can also help improve their quality of life by reducing those visual difficulties like night driving and eye strain.

Supplementation for the Younger Crowd

Prescribing supplementation to those without any signs of issues can be challenging, but measuring MPOD with the trusted, intuitive, and portable Zx Pro diagnostic device by EyePromise® can help. By giving them a numerical value that correlates with their risk, you can show younger patients that potential risk. Furthermore, you can show them their reduction of risk when you retest them after prescribing supplementation.

However, young people will likely not want to take the same nutraceuticals their parents or grandparents are taking. Here are a few clinically validated products for those younger patients.

EyePromise Screen Shield™ Pro

EyePromise Screen Shield Pro is a daily eye health nutraceutical formulated with dietary zeaxanthin and other nutrients to support a healthy MPOD, protect the eyes from increasing screen exposure, and work with a daily multivitamin.

With over 30 years of research dedicated to eye health and nutrition, several studies support the efficacy of the formula selected for Screen Shield Pro. Matching the eye’s natural 2:1 ratio of zeaxanthin to lutein, EyePromise Screen Shield Pro offers natural protection from the symptoms associated with extended screen time like tired, strained eyes and is backed by a 6-month MPOD increase guarantee.

EyePromise Screen Shield Teen

EyePromise Screen Shield Teen is a chewable eye health nutraceutical formulated with dietary zeaxanthin and other nutrients to protect and enhance children’s vision. Designed by experts to work with a daily multivitamin and be safe for children as young as 4, Screen Shield Teen has just 5 ingredients: dietary zeaxanthin and lutein, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Zinc. Specifically crafted to help protect against increasing screen exposure, Screen Shield Teen adds an extra layer of protection for young eyes.

EyePromise Vizual Edge™ Chewable

Trusted by professional and collegiate athletes, EyePromise Vizual Edge Chewable is a once-daily, citrus-flavored chewable designed to help those who want to improve their vision but don’t want to swallow pills. With 20 mg of dietary zeaxanthin plus other ingredients that help support vision in every dose, Vizual Edge Chewable provides your patients’ eyes with all the nutrients they need for their eyes to perform at their best. It is also backed by a 6-month MPOD increase guarantee.

There’s no time like the present to begin protecting long-term vision, and that starts with measuring MPOD on all patients. But measuring MPOD only gets you so far; prescribing a proven nutraceutical that’s supported by science and money-back guarantees like EyePromise creates a no-lose solution for you and your patients. Learn more about becoming an EyePromise partner now!