Genetic Testing For Inherited Eye Diseases

Written By: Indus Health Plus Doctors Team

Medically Reviewed | Based on Clinical Guidelines

Last Updated : 10 Sep 2024

Eye health is one of the most important aspects of a healthy life. Numerous people suffer eye problems, and the number is growing day by day owing to several factors, including nutritional deficiency, excess use of screens, increased stress levels, pollution, changing lifestyles, and lack of physical activity, etc. But did you know most rare retinal diseases such as Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, and Usher syndrome are inherited and typically caused by one or more defects in a single gene?? 

Are you aware that understanding your family history can also be crucial to leading a healthy life? 

Genetics plays a key role in overall health and in developing many medical disorders, including those that impact vision and eye health. Numerous eye disorders are genetic and ‘run in families.’ In other words, many genetic eye diseases are passed on directly from parents to their children by genes. With advancements in technology and increased understanding of the genome, it is now possible to predict the risk of an eye problem using genetic testing for eye disorders. Genetic eye testing can be a boon for people with a family history of eye diseases.  

Role of DNA Test in eye health 

A DNA Test is one of the most precise, effective, and reliable ways to deal with IRDs effectually. Such tests enable your eye care experts to predict the likelihood of hereditary eye disease and, thus, plan the treatment well in advance. The DNA Health Test is advantageous for children and younger adults in particular, who can be at increased risk of getting eye diseases owing to excessive usage of electronic devices and long screen time. Moreover, Genetic Testing is also suggested if your close relatives also have an eye disease. Through the DNA Test, your healthcare expert can get insights and help you keep an inherited eye disease away from or recommend effective treatments well in time.  

Most eye diseases are hereditary, and kids can get them if either or both parents have any of the below-mentioned eye disorders.   

Achromatopsia 

Albinism — Oculocutaneous/Albinism — Ocular 

Aniridia 

Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy 

Best Disease 

Cataracts (Generally the types found in children ) 

Choroideremia 

Color Vision Deficiency  

Corneal Dystrophy 

Cone-Rod Dystrophy 

Doyne Honeycomb Dystrophy (Autosomal Dominant Drusen) 

Glaucoma (Usually the type seen in children) 

Juvenile X-Linked Retinoschisis 

Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy 

Leber Congenital Amaurosis (a type of retinitis pigmentosa) 

Pattern Dystrophy 

Retinitis Pigmentosa 

Stargardt Juvenile Macular Dystrophy 

DNA health testing holds great promise to empower you with good health. Discuss the benefits of undertaking a genetic test with your health care expert for genetic eye diseases and check whether the approach is right for you. Several reliable DNA test kits, including DNAwise, are available that offer valuable insights into your extended family history and determine relevant information about your genetics, possible risk factors, and probable outcomes.? 

DNAwise team of experts would help with the testing and guide you with lifestyle modifications that can help you lead a healthy life. 

For more details, call us now or fill up the inquiry form.