What in the ophthalmic field is your team most excited about right now?
The use of genetics in identifying the risk a patient has to develop ophthalmic disorders and how those may also effect other systems within the body. Early risk detection will provide the clinician the ability to observe and treat the patient with a broader range of choices than they would otherwise have with current diagnostic approaches.
In what area of ophthalmology do you think your team can make a unique impact?
Avellino has been at the forefront of genetic testing in eye care. We have been providing genetic testing to patients since 2008 in the area of Corneal Dystrophies and Keratoconus, with over one million tests being completed. We are excited about our upcoming Glaucoma test as well as collaborating with clinicians on how we can make an impact where predictive genetic testing can improve patient care by tailoring therapeutic treatments and vision correction choices.
What are the biggest challenges when it comes to making an impact with new technology or innovations?
The technology or innovation itself is actually not the largest hurdle in many cases. The largest hurdles for adoption in the genetic space is education and overcoming fear – fear from patients over what they may learn and how their personal data is being handled, and then educating the physician on how to utilize the tests and leveraging it in their decision making process. We spend a significant amount of time ensuring that we protect our patients’ data, and then work directly with the physician so that they can explain the results to their patients, including genetic counselling when needed.
What are your 5–10-year predictions for innovation in the ophthalmic field?
At Avellino, everything we do starts with genetic data and applying AI and machine learning to make discoveries and develop new tests and therapy targets. We have been pioneering research with our scientist and technology teams utilising large genetic, clinical and imaging datasets to continue to refine our understanding of the relationships between what we are seeing in the genetic data, patient environmental factors and what can be visualized using advanced scanning and imaging systems. These advances will create the bridge from treating symptoms to true preventative care and precision medicine.
