Early detection of age-related vision impairment

Vision loss due to age and often seeing black spots are the main cause of blindness in the elderly, but the disease does not show symptoms.

Optimum Gerard, UK has just provided a genetic testing service by examining a patient's saliva samples to check for potential risks of these diseases, thereby providing preventive measures.

The Daily Mail of the UK said on February 27 that 70% to 85% of age-related visual impairments and black spots are due to genetic deficiencies. However, before we could not know whether we had this gene deficiency.

In order to carry out the test, the subjects could send saliva samples to the laboratory and the results would be available 14 days later. If there is a risk of disease, the Genetic Association will provide free advice. The price for the entire test is 608 USD.

Kathy Djarf of the Association of age-impaired vision and vision impairment said: 'This method is very effective in studying gene therapy or stem cells. We can base on test results to treat purpose and target people. "

However, Professor Andrew Laoterui, an expert on visual impairment due to age and often see a dark dot pessimistic about the accuracy of this measure. He said: 'Genetic testing is a new technology that is conducive to disease testing and helps people avoid active disease. However, people with genes that cause vision loss due to age and often see black spots do not necessarily get sick, so testing genes will lead to unnecessary worries . " .