Visible Genomics has been selected as the Life Sciences Review AMD Genetic Testing Company of the Year 2025 for its proprietary products designed for advancing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) care and treatment.
First, a company rundown.
The Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois-based early-growth-stage genetics company specializes in genetic testing and risk assessment of severe ocular diseases.
And its purpose?
Visible Genomics has developed a comprehensive risk assessment designed for a proactive approach to protecting vision in patients at risk of developing advanced severe ocular disease.
Its solution: Seeks to combat common obstacles (including lack of affordability for testing and awareness of disease risk) often faced by this patient base by:
- Slowing or preventing disease progression
- Providing greater access to more patients via affordable and understandable genetic diagnosis and risk testing
- Delivering personalized preventive medicine
The initial disease focus: AMD.
Why AMD?
A major reason: Aside from the fact that it’s a leading cause for severe vision impairment in older adults—with projections for an estimated 288 million people across the globe to be diagnosed by 2040—genetic factors are reported to play a role in up to 70% of all AMD cases.
- Even further: Research has found that AMD patients who do not receive or delay treatment for longer than 21 weeks after their symptoms appear are at a higher risk for worsening vision compared to patients who receive treatment within 7 weeks of the onset of symptoms.
Gotcha. What else should we know about this company?
Its leadership—specifically its Strategic Advisory Board of optometric experts (see here for a look at its executive leadership).
The Board was formed in October 2024 as Visible Genomics underwent a crowdfunding campaign with a maximum goal of $1.23 million.
Its five members include:
- Mark Dunbar, OD, FAAO
- Steven Ferrucci, OD, FAAO (also Visible Genomics’ chief medical advisor)
- Jeffry Gerson, OD, FAAO
- Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO
- Mary Beth Yackey, OD
In announcing the Board’s formation, CEO Scott Rediger stated: “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.”
Nice! Now briefly explain this new honor for the company.
The award was given by Life Sciences Review, a business and technology magazine for the life science industry, and recognized Visible Genomics’ “innovative contributions to proactive care for advanced AMD.”
- See here for the company’s feature in the magazine.
Very cool! Let’s get to talking about these genetic tests.
The company’s signature products are called AMDiGuard. These include:
- AMDiGuard DNA Risk Test
- What this is: Uses advanced DNA analysis and proprietary algorithms to evaluate the risk and analyze the progression of AMD
- Target users: Patients who:
- Have a family history of AMD
- Are younger than age 55 and have not been diagnosed with AMD
- Target users: Patients who:
- What this is: Uses advanced DNA analysis and proprietary algorithms to evaluate the risk and analyze the progression of AMD
- AMDiGuard DNA Progression Test
- What this does: Provides a “lifetime score” of a patient’s risk for progressing to advanced AMD for those already diagnosed with early to intermediate AMD.
- Target users: AMD patients aged 55+
- What this does: Provides a “lifetime score” of a patient’s risk for progressing to advanced AMD for those already diagnosed with early to intermediate AMD.
For patients: Click here to determine which test is best.
So how does each work?
The overarching process: Combining “a person’s genetic status, ocular findings, demographic and lifestyle characteristics to deliver a comprehensive and clinically actionable risk assessment,” according to Visible Genomics.
Broken down, this includes:
- Each test uses cheek swabs to collect patients’ DNA, either at home or at one of Visible Genomics’ eyecare provider (ECP) partner’s clinical practice.
- Note: All swabs in each test are reported to be conducted with an “FDA-cleared collection device.”
- Samples are then sent to and processed in a Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratory.
- Once processed, results are digitally delivered to an ECP in a HIPAA-compliant format to be evaluated.
- Lastly, patients will go over their results with a partner ECP during a consultation to design an action plan for the next steps in disease treatment or prevention.
And their cost?
Both are Health Savings Account (HSA) applicable.
- Prices will vary for providers and patients
For questions about how to become a Visible Genomics ECP partner, click here.
And for patients interested in learning more about these tests, click here.