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34 | EYEWORLD | SEPTEMBER 2020
Contact
Jackson: mjlaserdoc@msn.com
Trattler: wtrattler@gmail.com
Yeu: eyeulin@gmail.com
test is administered and results usually come
back in 24–48 hours.
Dr. Jackson added that with the company
working on a faster turnaround of results for its
AvaGen test, though it won't cover 100% like-
lihood of keratoconus, it will provide a certain
percent chance that a patient's genotype is at
risk for keratoconus, helping inform whether a
patient should or should not have LASIK. This
could be valuable in the future, Dr. Jackson said.
Dr. Trattler also said this type of genetic
testing may be helpful if you have a patient
coming in for LASIK screening and their
topography maps are suspicious. "You could
offer the testing, and if they're positive, it may
influence what you want to do," he said.
"As more patients have the tests and there's
more data, we'll be able to learn more, and the
test will be even better," Dr. Trattler said.
Screening refractive
surgery patients
Dr. Yeu said other potential candidates for this
genetic test include those with elevated mean
corneal curvatures and astigmatism rates that
demonstrate progression over time and patients
considering corneal refractive surgery with laser
vision correction.
Dr. Jackson noted that he has used Avellino
dystrophy genetic testing since the test came
out, and it is presented to patients as an added
"value and safety" piece. The patient pays for
this test at their refractive evaluation, and it is
nonrefundable but gets applied as a credit to
the overall cost of the laser vision correction
procedure.
"If the test comes up positive and you're at
risk, even if you don't have the procedure, it's
still a value add," Dr. Jackson said. "The good
news is in my population of patients, so far we
haven't seen any positive tests." He said that a
technician will do a saliva cheek swab when the
continued from page 33
About the doctors
Mitchell Jackson, MD
Jacksoneye
Lake Villa, Illinois
William Trattler, MD
Center for Excellence
in Eye Care
Miami, Florida
Elizabeth Yeu, MD
Virginia Eye Consultants
Norfolk, Virginia
Relevant disclosures
Jackson: Avellino
Trattler: None
Yeu: Avellino
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