AMD, or Age-related Macular Degeneration, is predominantly an inherited disease. Macula Risk is a prognostic DNA test that identifies individuals who have inherited any of the disease-causing genes. These individuals are at increased risk of vision loss as they age.
Macula Risk is a laboratory developed test (LDT) to assess the risk of AMD progression from early or intermediate AMD to advanced AMD, a common eye disorder of the elderly that can lead to blindness.
Macula Risk identifies individuals (1 in every 5 patients) that are at highest risk of vision loss due to AMD. Identifying these patients early allows the eye-care professional to implement a disease management strategy focused on sight preservation.
Increased risk (Macula Risk® Level 3, 4 and 5) patients may benefit from:
- Increased frequency of eye examinations
- Disease education and possibly ‘at-home’ Amsler Grid or Home PHP testing
- Preventative eye vitamin therapy and possibly nutritional supplements
- Early diagnosis and treatment of wet AMD with effective therapies