You may know about DNA testing to determine your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). You may also know about vitamin supplements that can reduce the risk of vision loss from AMD by up to 25%.
But did you know there’s a new DNA test called Vita Risk™ that allows a doctor to determine the best vitamin formula for your genetic makeup?
Before Vita Risk™, the DNA test most often used by eye doctors was Macula Risk®. With a painless swab of the cheek, a patient could find out their genetically-predisposed risk of developing AMD later in life.
The National Eye Institute conducted two long-term eye disease studies, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and AREDS2. These studies showed that eye vitamin formulations including antioxidants and zinc protected about 25% of patients from developing advanced AMD with vision loss.
Before Vita Risk™, based on these studies, doctors would prescribe the same vitamins to all patients.
A recent analysis of DNA in the AREDS study showed that AMD genes influenced the success or failure of zinc in the vitamin formula. Commonly consumed zinc supplements may even be harmful. Now doctors can detect these genes and tailor the amount of zinc in the vitamin formula to optimize the chances that it will help prevent advanced AMD with vision loss.
If you’ve never taken a Macula Risk® test to determine your AMD risk, you can take a new test that combines both Macula Risk® and Vita Risk™: Macula Risk® PGx. This test determines both your risk of AMD and the optimal vitamin formula to reduce your risk.
Eye Centers of Florida is the first eye health center in Florida to offer these new tests. If you’re concerned about AMD, contact us today to set up an appointment!
