Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative eye disease that damages the retina macula.
The macula is a light sensitive tissue found in the center of the retina, this area provides visual acuity to perceive fine and small details.
When the macula does not function correctly, the central areas of the visual field begin to lose sharpness.
AMD is the most common cause of blindness in people over 50 years in Western countries.

Genetic Testing For Age-Related Macular Degeneration

How do genes influence AMD?

AMD is a disease associated with both genetic and environmental factors. Approximately 70% of the predisposition to AMD is due to the genetic information of the patient, although environmental factors may also contribute to its occurrence.

Today the main risk and protection genetic factors associated with AMD are known. These factors correlate among others with the genes CFH, CFB, C3 and ARMS2 genes, most of them being genetic variants of the complement system involved in inflammatory processes. Their analysis reliably predicts the probability of developing the disease.

Other environmental factors such as smoking, degree of pigmentation, high blood pressure, UV radiation, diet and family history have also been associated with the disease.

How is the test performed by Secugen?

The test developed by Secugen determines the genetic predisposition of developing AMD by calculating the probability and impact of each of the analyzed genetic risk and protective factors.

To whom is this test useful?

It is mainly aimed at patients who are in early stages (drusen) and relatives of people suffering from AMD.

How is the test performed?

A saliva sample from the patient is required to perform this test, thus avoiding unnecessary risks and inconveniences in obtaining the sample. Our laboratory is responsible for collecting and analyzing the sample.

Within about a month, you will receive a report explaining the analyzed factors, the results for each of them, and the risk group assigned by these factors.

This test provides prevention and early treatment

Increasing the frequency of eye examinations, the patient may benefit from drug treatments that currently exist in case of detecting an increased genetic risk. This will delay the onset and consequences of AMD.
The ophthalmologist is the one who should recommend genetic testing and then indicate the appropriate therapies that should be adopted in each case.