Oakbrook Terrace, IL, Oct. 3, 2024 — Visible Genomics, a genetics-based testing and risk assessment company with a focus on severe ocular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), today announces the formation of its Strategic Advisory Board, comprised of five leading eye care experts.

The Strategic Advisory Board will play a crucial role in promoting the further adoption of genetic testing for assessing the risk of advanced AMD – a leading cause of blindness in the U.S. The Board will also be instrumental in defining for the eyecare community how to best implement the use of genetic testing into practice. This will help with early identification of both the risk of developing advanced AMD and the risk of its progression before irreversible vision loss occurs, allowing for proactive measures to be taken.

“We are honored to have this exceptional group of optometrists join our Advisory Board. Their diverse backgrounds, ranging from hospitals to private practices, retina centers, and academic institutions, provide a comprehensive perspective. Their guidance will help ensure that our genetic testing solutions remain accessible, affordable, and deliver the highest level of clinical value to patients and healthcare providers,” says Visible Genomics CEO Scott Rediger.

The formation of the Advisory Board comes at a critical stage for the company as it is currently undertaking a crowdfunding campaign with StartEngine to expand reach and awareness of its pioneering genetic test, AMDiGuard™, a simple, cost-effective solution to assess the risk of advanced AMD.

Visible Genomics’ newly formed Strategic Advisory Board includes:

Mark Dunbar, OD, FAAO – Dr. Dunbar is director of the Department of Optometric Services at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the Leonard F. Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami, where he is also a faculty member. He is also a founding member of both the Optometric Glaucoma Society and the Optometric Retina Society.

Steven Ferrucci, OD, FAAO – Dr. Ferrucci is chief of optometry at the Sepulveda VA Ambulatory Care Center and Nursing Home, residency director at the Sepulveda VA Ambulatory Care Center, and a professor at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University. He is also a fellow and past president of the Optometric Retina Society.

Jeffry Gerson, OD, FAAO – Dr. Gerson is an optometrist in private practice with Grin Eye Care and medical director of the Macular Degeneration Association. Previously Dr. Gerson was with a retina referral center and participated in numerous clinical trials. He is also a fellow of the Optometric Retina Society.

Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO – Dr. Rafieetary is a consultative optometric physician who has been in practice at the Charles Retina Institute since 1996. He previously served as assistant professor and chief of Advanced Ocular Disease Service at the Southern College of Optometry. He is also a fellow of the Optometric Retina Society.

Mary Beth Yackey, OD – Dr. Yackey is an optometrist with the Cincinnati Eye Institute, where she is a member of the Vitreoretinal Team. She is certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry for treatment and management of ocular disease.  She is also an active teacher of optometry and ophthalmology residents and fellows, as well as continuing education courses. 

Learn more about Visible Genomics current crowdfunding campaign at: https://www.startengine.com/offering/visiblegenomics

About Visible Genomics

Visible Genomics is an early growth stage genetics testing and risk assessment company with a focus on severe ocular diseases. At the forefront of personalized eyecare, Visible Genomics offers a proactive approach to protecting vision for millions of people at risk of advanced AMD.

About AMDiGuard™

Visible Genomics’ signature product, AMDiGuard™ is a simple cheek swab test that uses advanced DNA analysis and proprietary algorithms to assess risk and analyze progression of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), empowering medical professionals and patients to potentially delay or prevent disease onset. Up to 70% of AMD cases have a genetic component, underscoring the importance of early detection and personalized risk assessment. Additionally, those who do not seek treatment or delay it for more than 21 weeks after symptoms appear face a 2.6 times greater likelihood of worsening vision after treatment begins compared to those who start treatment within seven weeks.