Diagnostic, prescriptive, and data-gathering system and method for macular pigment deficits and other eye disorders
A macular health measurement and storage system comprises a plurality of macular-pigment measurement machine for measuring macular pigment density in humans, a plurality of computers each of which is associated with a corresponding one the macular-pigment measuring machines, and a central host. The plurality of macular-pigment measurement machines include a device for receiving macular pigment data from a patient, at least one data transfer port, and at least one processor that enables the transfer of the macular pigment data from the transfer port. The plurality of computers include a first port coupled to the data transfer port of the corresponding macular-pigment measurement machine for receiving the macular pigment data. Each of the computers includes a second port for transferring patient data. The central host is coupled to the second ports on each of the plurality of computers. The central host includes a storage device for storing the patient data.
1. A method of addressing eye-health problems in a human patient, comprising the acts of:
detecting, with a macular-pigment measurement machine at a first location, macular pigment data for a first patient;
transmitting, to a central host, eye-health information for the first patient, the eye-health information including the macular pigment data obtained via the macular-pigment measurement machine, the eye-health information further including at least three of the group consisting of eye color, age, gender, smoking status, previously diagnosed eye disease, intake of nutritional supplements, genetic information, and diet, the eye-health information received at the central host lacking patient-name information such that each patient remains anonymous;
conducting, with a processor at the central host, statistical analysis on the eye-health information from the first patient by comparing the eye-health information with other eye health information from a plurality of patients at multiple locations, the other eye-health information being stored in a storage device associated with the central host; and
in response to the statistical analysis, sending a treatment recommendation for the first patient to the first location, the treatment recommendation for the first patient including a recommendation for a first carotenoid mixture to increase the macular pigment of the first patient.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first carotenoid mixture includes a first amount of zeaxanthin.
3. The method of claim 1 , further including (i) detecting, with the macular-pigment measurement machine at the first location, second macular pigment data for a second patient, (ii) transmitting, to the central host, eye-health information for the second patient, and (iii) sending a second treatment recommendation for the second patient, the second treatment recommendation including a second carotenoid mixture to increase the macular pigment of the second patient.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second carotenoid mixture is different from the first carotenoid mixture.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the first carotenoid mixture includes a first amount of zeaxanthin and the second carotenoid mixture includes a second amount of zeaxanthin that is different from the first amount of zeaxanthin.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the statistical analysis provides an indicator or a predictor of eye problems among elderly patients.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the statistical analysis provides a correlation between macular pigment data and a retinal disease.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the statistical analysis provides a correlation between macular pigment data and an intake of nutritional supplements.
9. A method of addressing eye-health problems in a human patient, comprising the acts of:
detecting, with a macular-pigment measurement machine at a first location, macular pigment data for a first patient;
transmitting, from the first location to a central host, eye-health information for the first patient, the eye-health information including the macular pigment data obtained via the macular-pigment measurement machine, the eye-health information further including at least three of the group consisting of eye color, age, gender, smoking status, previously diagnosed eye disease, intake of nutritional supplements, genetic information, and diet; and
based on statistical analysis of other eye health information from a plurality of patients that is stored in a storage device associated with the central host, sending a treatment recommendation for the first patient to the first location, the treatment recommendation for the first patient including a recommendation for a first carotenoid mixture for increasing the macular pigment of the first patient.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first carotenoid mixture includes a first amount of zeaxanthin.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the statistical analysis provides an indicator or a predictor of a retinal disease.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the statistical analysis provides a correlation between macular pigment data and a retinal disease.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the statistical analysis provides a correlation between macular pigment data and an intake of nutritional supplements.
14. An eye health measurement and storage system, comprising:
at least one macular-pigment measurement device that receives macular pigment data from multiple human patients, the macular-pigment measuring device including at least one data transfer port for transferring the macular pigment data from the macular-pigment measuring device; and
a central host remotely located from and coupled to the at least one macular-pigment measurement device and for receiving the macular pigment data measured by the at least one macular-pigment measuring device, the central host including a storage device for storing patient information and the macular pigment data for a plurality of patients, the patient information including at least three of the group consisting of eye color, age, gender, smoking status, previously diagnosed eye disease, intake of nutritional supplements, genetic information, and diet; and
wherein first patient information and first macular pigment data for a first patient are used to provide a treatment recommendation for a first patient based on statistical analysis of macular pigment data from the plurality of patients stored in the storage device, the treatment recommendation including a recommended intake of a first carotenoid mixture or a second carotenoid mixture, the second carotenoid mixture being different from the first carotenoid mixture.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the central host includes a website that is configured to receive the patient information and the macular pigment data for a plurality of patients.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the patient information and the macular pigment data form part of a medical record for the patient that is stored at the central host.
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the statistical analysis provides an indicator or a predictor of retinal problems.
18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the statistical analysis provides a correlation between macular pigment data and a retinal disease.
19. The system of claim 14 , wherein the first carotenoid mixture includes a first amount of zeaxanthin and the second carotenoid mixture includes a second amount of zeaxanthin that is different from the first amount of zeaxanthin.