Genetic Testing For Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is a complex disease involving both genetic and environmental influences. Testing for variants at certain genetic loci has been proposed to predict the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration. Age-related macular degeneration is divided into the dry form, associated with slowly progressive vision loss, and the wet form, which may be associated with rapidly progressive and severe vision loss. The risks of age-related macular degeneration and of developing the wet form are associated with genetic and nongenetic (eg, age, smoking) factors.