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Review
. 2012 Sep;23(5):355-63.
doi: 10.1097/ICU.0b013e32835715c9.

eyeGENE(R): a novel approach to combine clinical testing and researching genetic ocular disease

Kerry E Goetz  1 , Melissa J Reeves, Santa J Tumminia, Brian P Brooks
Affiliations
Review

eyeGENE(R): a novel approach to combine clinical testing and researching genetic ocular disease

Kerry E Goetz et al. Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Molecular genetics is revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of inherited eye diseases. The National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in an effort to facilitate future basic and clinical research in inherited eye disease, created The National Ophthalmic Disease Genotyping and Phenotyping Network (eyeGENE). This review describes the process and utility of the eyeGENE program as it relates to ophthalmic clinical practice.

Recent findings: Over the last few years, genetic testing of specific genes associated with inherited eye conditions is becoming the standard practice. Vision research and human clinical trials relying on molecular genetic testing of individuals with inherited eye conditions are becoming more common. Eye healthcare professionals must consider the options to assist patients in obtaining genetic testing results and locating trials or studies that may have benefit.

Summary: eyeGENE is a DNA repository and patient registry for inherited eye diseases coupled to phenotypic descriptors and molecular genetic information. Through eyeGENE, healthcare professionals throughout the United States and Canada can obtain Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified clinical molecular genetic results on their patients. Researchers may request access to a de-identified database of phenotype and genotype information about eyeGENE participants and DNA aliquots for their research studies. eyeGENE also offers participants the option of being included in a patient registry, whereby they may be re-contacted if an approved clinical study for which they might qualify is offered.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

All authors work for the National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health and are involved in operations of eyeGENE.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Organization of the eyeGENE Network. Source: eyeGENE Working Group.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Color fundus photographs of 13-year-old boy with retinitis pigmentosa. (a) Right eye. (b) Left eye. Source: Dr Elias Traboulsi and the Cole Eye Institute.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Fundus autofluorescence of 52-year-old man (a) Right eye. (b) Left eye. Source: Dr Jacque Duncan and the University of California, San Francisco.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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