DNA Testing for Susceptibility to Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Januar 2011
Age Related Macula Degeneration (AMD) is rarely known for being the most common reason for visual impairment in individuals over the age of 50 in developed countries.
AMD is a multifactorial condition with a strong genetic and affects more people than breast cancer, prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease altogether. The Bioglobe Laboratory is now providing a genetic test to categorise your personal risk to develop AMD taking other harmful habits into consideration.
According to the increasing life expectancy in our society, the total number of patients with an advanced AMD is going to rise from now 2% to approximately 5% within the next 10 years. Besides constraints to patients' autonomy and a reduced life quality, AMD is also a burden to the patients' families and to the health care system. Even though AMD does not result in total blindness, patients do need assistance.
In 80% of all cases the patient's sight is already heavily impaired when AMD is diagnosed. In the risk group of individuals over 55 years of age, 73% are not aware of AMD which leads to improvidence. But therapeutic approaches would be much more effective when implemented as early as possible.
Bioglobe's test groups individuals into 5 risk categories. The test identifies individuals with high risk for AMD long before clinical Symptoms occur. Depending on the risk level preventive measures can be taken.
Frequent observation of the eye ground is an important monitoring tool. Cease smoking habits as well as avoiding overweight, diabetes and high blood pressure are goals of a shifted lifestyle and latest research shows effectiveness of supplementation with antioxidants and balanced nutrition. An adjustment in habits does decline the probability of AMD even in individuals with a very high risk and decelerates progression of AMD.
The Bioglobe AMD-Check Up as a preventive tool fits for relatives of AMD patients and for AMD patients to learn about the progression rate. The test also fits for individuals over the age of 40 to find out about the personal risk and to take proper measures in advance.
Specimen: either Saliva sample / Cheek cell sample / Blood sample, 3 ml
Turnaround Time: 2 - 4 weeks