Predictive DNA testing in ophthalmology

Ethical issues in ocular genetics

“…This also suggests that families may perceive benefits [2] even though testing may be associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes. Indeed, 56% of the tested children experienced adverse reactions after receiving test results, indicating the potential of harm by the test.…”

“…At the same time, choosing a prenatal test for genetic eye disease and therapy for treatable conditions is Ethical issues in ocular genetics Mezer and Wygnanski-Jaffe 383 one of the many decisions that parents make on behalf of their child. Many factors are involved in reaching that decision, and the parents should be made aware of these issues as well as the possibility that the child may later wish to have had a different choice [5,10].…”

New era for personalized medicine: the diagnosis and management of age‐related macular degeneration

“…[63][64][65] In addition, the reader is also encouraged to view an article on the potential pros and cons of diagnostic testing in an ophthalmology setting. 66 We are already aware that a number of genes are involved in AMD indicating that an individual's genetic make-up is likely to have a profound influence on the way that we think of personalized treatment options for this disease. For instance knowledge pertaining to a predetermined, geneticbased response to anti-VEGF treatment could potentially dictate the nature of therapy received and the progression and course of neovascular AMD.…”

Does acute loss of vision in Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy occur early in childhood?

“…26 Furthermore, very few health systems are willing to pay for DNA testing, thus a large proportion of genetic eye testing currently is performed on research bases which often have limited funds. 25 This case illustrates the possibility of further similarities between LHON and ADOA and highlights areas of potential clinical research. If the exact age of onset of hereditary optic neuropathies can be determined and environmental risk factors identified, there remains the possibility of disease modification.…”

“…There is, however, some debate about conducting DNA testing in children for conditions that currently have no available treatment 25 as it raises complex ethical and moral dilemmas for both families and professionals. 26 Furthermore, very few health systems are willing to pay for DNA testing, thus a large proportion of genetic eye testing currently is performed on research bases which often have limited funds.…”