Vision Source offers Early Detection Test for Leading Cause of Vision Loss

Oct. 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Las Vegas – Thanks to advances in medical technology, residents of Las Vegas can now be tested and treated for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease that affects 25 million Americans and is our country’s leading cause of vision loss. Dr. Alissa Nagel of Vision Source Summerlin/Lakes now can test patients who have been diagnosed with early or intermediate AMD the Macula Risk test, a prognostic DNA test that determines a person’s risk for severe vision loss by analyzing their DNA for the presence of genes that are known to cause advanced forms of AMD. The non-invasive test includes taking a cheek swab from a patient.

AMD damages the macula and central vision causing persons to not see sharp, clear and detailed images. The disease exists in two forms, wet and dry, and vision loss varies depending on the person’s stage and type of AMD. Nagel attests that some people experience little to no vision loss in either eye, while in other cases, people may experience a rapid vision loss in one or both eyes, essentially causing blindness.

“The Macula Risk test is incredibly important yet incredible simple,” says Nagel. By detecting the AMD gene, Nagel can monitor patients’ AMD progression and create specialized treatment plans. “Individuals at increased Macula Risk levels may benefit from a number of treatment options. Preventative eye vitamin therapy, increased frequency of eye exams, and lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking can all help,” says Nagel.

Although genetics plays a role in Macula Risk testing, Nagel says that there are other factors involved, as well. Those at high risk of advanced AMD include: people over the age of 60, especially women, those of Caucasian decent, smokers and those with a family history of the disease.

Macula Risk’s predictive value for advanced AMD is 83 percent and has 99.9 percent accuracy.

For more information about AMD and Macula Risk testing, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Alissa Nagel, please contact Stephanie Forte at sforte@fortecreativemedia.com.


About Vision Source
Vision Source Las Vegas is a network of optometrists that provides patients with personal care and service while offering advanced medical technology and innovative products to promote eye health. Vision Source doctors are committed to continuing education, offering patients the most innovative procedures to detect and correct eye conditions. As a group, Vision Source is dedicated to educating the community through special events and programs about eye health issues and the importance of annual eye exams. Founded in 1991, the Vision Source network includes 2,000 offices and over 4,000 doctors in all 50 states and in Canada. Vision Source Las Vegas, started in 2003, now includes 18 optometrists at 13 locations in the Las Vegas area. For more information about Vision Source, call 1-800-EYES-911 or visit www.visionsourcevegas.com.

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Vision Source Las Vegas is a network of board-certified optometrists that provides patients with personal care and service while offering advanced medical technology and innovative products to promote eye health. http://www.visionsourcevegas.com.