Identifying a gene opens many new diagnostic and treatment possibilities including earlier diagnosis of inherited eye diseases . Researchers also work to determine exactly what causes a particular eye disease and why the same disease does not effect everyone in the same way. As a result, researchers hope to develop improved treatment for specific eye diseases such as glaucoma and inherited retinal diseases including AMD . These discoveries will lead to improved eye care for future patients. Genetic tests , also called DNA-based tests, are some of the newest and most sophisticated techniques that we can use to test for genetic diseases.
Most tests involve looking directly at the DNA in a specific disease-associated gene.
The actual information of each gene is carried within the DNA itself. The DNA can be taken from cells in a sample of blood or, occasionally, from other body fluids or tissues. Enrollment involves donating a blood sample one time only and providing medical and family history information. This can all be done long distance. There is no cost to the participant.