A new tool will soon be available to ophthalmologists, it will use NGS sequencing technology and a custom genetic panel for early detection of the disease.
Eye doctors dealing with keratoconus are about to benefit from a new tool at their disposal; Avellino Labs is developing a diagnostic genetic test for risk factors for keratoconus.
The new technology of Avellino Labs it will not only offer ophthalmologists a tool for the early diagnosis of patients at risk of developing keratoconus but will also provide additional data for patients who may not show the classic signs associated with keratoconus when examined using current scanning technologies and algorithms.
Eye doctors dealing with keratoconus are about to benefit from a new tool at their disposal; Avellino Labs is developing a diagnostic genetic test for risk factors for keratoconus.
The new technology of Avellino Labs it will not only offer ophthalmologists a tool for the early diagnosis of patients at risk of developing keratoconus but will also provide additional data for patients who may not show the classic signs associated with keratoconus when examined using current scanning technologies and algorithms.
Edward J. Holland, director of Cornea Services at the Cincinnati Eye Institute and professor of ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati, says, "The addition of genetic testing to our existing optical and scanning methods will result in the ability to identify patients at risk for keratoconus earlier, perhaps before there are changes that can be detected by current devices."
So how does genetic testing work? First, a swab is used to collect DNA from the patient's mouth. The sample is then sent to Avellino Labs for next-generation sequencing and analysis (NGS). The NGS custom panel includes over 1,000 variants across 75 genes for keratoconus (KC) and over 70 TGFBI mutations for corneal dystrophies (CD). The sequence results are aligned to the Genome Reference Human Build 37 and a relative risk score (RR) is calculated for the detected keratoconus variant. Risk scores were derived from a Bayesian logistic regression model based on NGS results, including whole-exome sequencing and targeted sequencing platforms.
So how does genetic testing work? First, a swab is used to collect DNA from the patient's mouth. The sample is then sent to Avellino Labs for next-generation sequencing and analysis (NGS). The NGS custom panel includes over 1,000 variants across 75 genes for keratoconus (KC) and over 70 TGFBI mutations for corneal dystrophies (CD). The sequence results are aligned to the Genome Reference Human Build 37 and a relative risk score (RR) is calculated for the detected keratoconus variant. Risk scores were derived from a Bayesian logistic regression model based on NGS results, including whole-exome sequencing and targeted sequencing platforms.
The current treatments of cross-linking corneal lesions are unable to repair the damage caused by keratoconus - changes to the cornea can cause vision to deteriorate, this means that early diagnosis of keratoconus is a real need.
For surgical candidates, early diagnosis of keratoconus is very important as it can prevent postoperative progression of the disease. Holland explains: “By identifying those at-risk patients earlier, we can improve monitoring for younger patients and potentially implement preventative treatments such as cross-linking. Genetic tests will also allow us to have further information in the evaluation of patients undergoing refractive surgery. Knowing a patient's potential to progress to keratoconus could be a deciding factor in choosing one refractive surgery procedure over another – or perhaps not recommending corneal refractive surgery."
For surgical candidates, early diagnosis of keratoconus is very important as it can prevent postoperative progression of the disease. Holland explains: “By identifying those at-risk patients earlier, we can improve monitoring for younger patients and potentially implement preventative treatments such as cross-linking. Genetic tests will also allow us to have further information in the evaluation of patients undergoing refractive surgery. Knowing a patient's potential to progress to keratoconus could be a deciding factor in choosing one refractive surgery procedure over another – or perhaps not recommending corneal refractive surgery."
Eye with keratoconus, with visible central scarring and thinning with ectasia. Credits: David Yorston, Community Eye Health.
Source: The Opthalmologist
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