EyeGen

We store patient DNA for a short period to ensure that the test is complete and does not require a re-analysis should the first laboratory procedure fail. We then destroy the sample. We do not use your information for any other purpose than your doctor’s order. Arctic Medical Laboratories is certified by the College of American Pathology (CAP), CMS under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA), and by the New York State laboratory licensing authority (CLEP). We treat all patient information in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

If you have dry AMD, then an EyeGen genetic test tells you and your doctor 3 important pieces of information (in ascending order of ‘actionability’):

• Did you inherit a substantial amount of AMD genetic risk from your parents? For each AMD risk ‘gene,’ there is a wild type (good) version and a (bad version).
• Based upon your AMD genetics, your age/smoking/BMI and AMD disease status in your left and right eye, how likely are you to progress to the advanced form of the disease in the next 2,5 & 10 years.
• If your doctor recommends eye vitamins, are you in the genotype group who should avoid a supplement with zinc, or should you take one with zinc?

If you have wet AMD, then a genetic test tells you and your doctor 2 important pieces of information (in ascending order of ‘actionability’):

• Did you inherit a substantial amount of AMD genetic risk from your parents? For each AMD risk ‘gene,’ there is a wild type (good) version and a (bad version).
• If your doctor is recommending eye vitamins, are you in the genotype group who should avoid a supplement with zinc, or should you take one with zinc?

If your doctor does not offer AMD genetic tests, we will email the clinic with important information about the EyeGen test. Alternatively, you can contact us via email or by calling at or 1-866-964-5182 to speak with our Chief Medical Officer.

Eye doctors and retinal specialists recommend eye vitamins to early AMD patients, and many patients may pro-actively choose to take them.

Many patients who have AMD will be consuming a nutrient formula daily for decades. It would be to your advantage to understand if your current nutrient formula interacts properly with your body and your personal genetics. Clinical studies demonstrate that 15% of patients’ who consume AREDS2 may actually suffer an increase risk to permanent vision loss and in much a shorter period of time.

Genetic testing identifies whether AREDS2 will either reduce or increase your risk of harm. The genetic test results may also be a warning to you and your doctor, that you need to be monitored more frequently to protect you from permanent vision loss.