Ocala Eye Doctor Debuts New DNA Test For Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Dr. Michael Lange, Ocala optometrist, is the first eye doctor to introduce Macula Risk®, a new DNA test for age related macular degeneration (AMD) to Ocala and The Villages

Lange Eye Care and Associates offers a new genetic test for early diagnosis of AMD (age related macular degeneration). Macula Risk® can help provide an early diagnosis of potential vision loss from macular degeneration. This advanced retinal health DNA test for genes related to blindness is available at the offices of Dr. Michael Lange in Ocala and The Villages.

The Lange Eye Institute in The Villages, Florida, on April 30th, 2011 hosted an event to celebrate the launch and introduction of Macula Risk® DNA testing for the detection and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration (“AMD”). Thousands of people showed up to this event and learned about the latest in macular degeneration detection and potential treatments for macular degeneration. Dr. Michael Lange from Ocala, Florida, along with representatives from Fortifeye Vitamins were there to discuss the very latest in nutrition for macular degeneration. Dr. Michael Lange is a board certified optometric physician as well as a certified nutrition specialist and is involved in a considerable amount of research utilizing the latest in nutrition for ocular health. Dr. Lange is using the latest in intracellular blood testing and plasma blood testing to look at nutritional levels including omega-3, omega-6, essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Dr. Lange has used this continuous research in the development of the Fortifeye line of vitamins.

Macula Risk® is a prognostic DNA test intended for patients who have a diagnosis of early or intermediate AMD. Using the complete combination of AMD genes, and including smoking history, Macula Risk® identifies those most likely to progress to advanced AMD with vision loss. Macula Risk® is reimbursed by most providers including Medicare. Patient testing is now available from a simple cheek swab provided at Lange Eye Care and Associates in Ocala and The Villages.

AMD is the leading cause of late onset visual impairment and legal blindness in the western world among people over the age of 50. According to reports from the AMD Alliance International and the Foundation for Fighting Blindness, more people have AMD than breast cancer, prostate cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease combined. Over 15 million people in North America are currently affected by AMD and experts estimate that, as the population ages, the number of those afflicted will double by the year 2020.

Seventy-five to eighty percent of all AMD has been traced to genes inherited from family members. Until recently, there was no opportunity to determine who may carry these genes or be at risk. “Individuals with a family history of AMD may themselves have early signs of the disease and not yet know it,” commented Dr. Lange. “For those with early disease, Macula Risk® will tell them if they are likely to progress to vision loss so they can seek the professional support they need from an eye care provider like Lange Eye Care and Associates.”

Knowing the risk and accessing appropriate care may save the vision of countless individuals who otherwise would not have taken necessary action until it was too late. Individuals with a diagnosis of early AMD should check with an eye care professional that is in tune with the latest in nutrition for macular degeneration and see if the test is right for them.

What Is Macular Degeneration?

AMD is a progressive disease associated with aging that causes damage to the macula – the light-sensitive cells at the center of the retina at the back of the eye. The macula is responsible for our ability to see with enough detail to read, drive, watch television and perform other activities that require focused, straight-ahead vision, as well as providing information that allows us to perceive colors. Once significant vision is lost, it cannot be restored and, if untreated, AMD will ultimately lead to blindness. The disease usually begins in one’s forties or fifties but it might not result in significant vision loss until one is in their 70’s. When the disease progresses, vision loss may occur rapidly in some patients – sometimes in a matter of weeks.

There is no cure for AMD, so an early diagnosis is key. There are treatments available, but most of them stabilize vision at best. With later diagnosis, AMD treatments may be less effective, or fewer options may be available. Macula Risk® offers a unique tool for Eye Care Professionals to manage early and intermediate AMD patients by using their respective risk levels to develop appropriate monitoring and treatment plans. Regular monitoring of high-risk patients is a critical factor enabling early intervention and treatment to delay or arrest the disease and ultimately preserve vision.

About Lange Eye Institute

The Lange Eye Institute in The Villages Florida is a one-of-a-kind facility to help those with macular degeneration. Patients with macular degeneration travel from all over the country to see the experts in retinal care at the Lange Eye institute. It all starts by first seeing one of the board certified optometric physicians to determine what type of macular degeneration the patient has. A series of very advanced tests are done to help with this decision making process, then frequently the doctor will order a series of intracellular and plasma blood tests to look for any nutritional deficiency that may be a modifiable risk factor for the patient. This blood lab where the work is done is inside the Lange Eye Institute. The genetic DNA test will probably be included among the tests ordered by the doctor. If the patient has the dry form of macular degeneration then a customized diet and supplement regiment including lifestyle modifications will be developed for the patient. Specific customized sunlight filters will be prescribed to improve contrast and block all the harmful UV and high intensity visible spectrum blue light. If the patient isn’t able to gain satisfactory vision with traditional spectacle correction they can be taken to the Lange Low Vision department where certain low vision devices are introduced. Low vision technology for vision impaired patients has come a long way. The low vision department at Lange Eye Care has the very latest in this technology. When a patient is diagnosed with the wet from of macular degeneration they will be referred upstairs at The Lange Eye Institute to the Center for Retina and Macular Disease where all of the options for the wet from of macular degeneration will be discussed. The fellowship trained retina specialists in the Lange Eye Institute are capable of handling even the toughest and most complicated retinal cases.

The launch of the Macula Risk® DNA Test for Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) took place at the Lange Eye Institute located in The Villages at Hwy 466 and C. R. 101 on Saturday, April 30th, 2011. Dr. Michael Lange met with each patient to evaluate their eligibility and discuss AMD. It was a great event with thousands of people gathering to learn about the very latest in macular degeneration detection and treatment. Fortifeye Vitamins was on site educating the public on the importance of proper nutrition for macular degeneration. The Lange Sun and Nutrition Center was there from Clearwater, Florida, discussing how proper nutrition may be beneficial for ocular and good overall health especially for those with macular degeneration. Dr. Kathy Dau, an expert in nutrition and eye care, was also at the event to discuss the latest in nutrition and vitamin therapy for macular degeneration. For further information on Fortifeye vitamins and to book your appointment to meet with Dr. Michael Lange or any of the doctors at The Lange Eye Institute please call 352-753-4014.

Dr. Michael Lange OD CNS, Ocala optometrist and founder of Lange Eye Care and Associates, is one of four optometric physicians in the country who is also a certified nutrition specialist. Dr. Michael Lange is involved in numerous nutritional research blood testing absorption studies. Dr. Lange developed the Fortifeye Vitamin company in an effort to research and develop nutritional supplements for eye and total body health. Dr. Lange states, “I have seen the positive impact patients obtain when they adjust their diet, take proper supplements, and modify their lifestyles with regards to macular degeneration. This genetic test enables doctors to impress upon the patient the importance of being proactive in their future retinal health. This is a snapshot into the future of their retinal health, and this can really motivate the patient to follow a diet we develop, take a specific supplement regiment, and make important lifestyle modifications like quitting smoking, getting cardiovascular exercise and managing their weight. It’s important to control systemic health problems like hypertension, diabetes and elevated cholesterol, and to get proper sleep and wear good UV sunglasses. These are things that patients may take a little bit more seriously if they have a genetic test telling them they have the gene that may cause them to go blind. This test, if done early enough can be a wake up call which motivates the patient into action. It empowers the patient into being more proactive about their retinal health.”

Lange Eye Care is one of a select group of eye care centers in the state of Florida offering the new Macula Risk® test. It is currently offered at the Lange Eye Care main office in Ocala and at the Lange Eye Institute in The Villages. Dr. Michael Lange of Ocala is the developer of the Fortifeye Complete Macular Defense supplement that is being recommended by doctors all over the world.

You can contact Dr. Lange directly by completing the form below, or contact one of the Lange Eye Care offices by phone, all listed below.

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Order Fortifeye™ vitamins by clicking below:

 

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