New Clinic Focuses on Identifying the Genetic Basis of Ocular Disease With accelerating advances in genetics, successful patient diagnosis and medical management of congenital and complex eye diseases often requires the combined expertise of ophthalmology, medical genetics, genetic counseling and pediatric subspecialty care. The Kellogg Eye Center’s Multidisciplinary Ophthalmic Genetics Clinic provides medical and ophthalmic genetics care to patients with inherited ocular conditions. The clinic also enables doctors to more accurately interpret and explain complex genetic testing options and results to patients and their families. This “one-stop” clinic benefits patients by enhancing communications and discussion among geneticists
Lev Prasov, M.D., Ph.D.
and specialists for the best patient care. “The clinic enables us to expand upon our
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States and the forerunner of the university's Depart-
excellence in genetics, foster interdepartmental and cross-institutional collaboration, and provide quality care for patients with unmet needs,” says ophthalmic geneticist Lev Prasov, M.D., Ph.D.
On the diagnostic front, the
clinic facilitates the identification of inherited eye diseases and determination of patient eligibility for clinical trials of novel therapies. Clinical evalua-
ment of Human Genetics. Dr. Falls’ observational and clinical skills became legendary in the U-M Medical School, and his
EXPAND UPON OUR EXCELLENCE IN
tion as a founder of medical genetics in the United States. The clinic also broadens Kellogg's and Michigan
GENETICS, FOSTER INTERDEPARTMENTAL
Medicine's multidisciplinary
AND CROSS-INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION,
approach from inherited retinal degenerations and congenital glau-
AND PROVIDE QUALITY CARE FOR PATIENTS
tion helps identify which conditions are likely genetic and whether
WITH UNMET NEEDS.
a patient will benefit from genetic
— Lev Prasov, M.D., Ph.D.
testing. Genetic testing helps determine the need for additional medical screenings, counseling, and ocular disease monitoring.
pioneering work earned him distinc-
THE CLINIC ENABLES US TO
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coma to a full spectrum of congenital and inherited disorders. “Our knowledge and experience
will expand as the role of genetics in
ophthalmology continues to grow in the
years to come,” says Dr. Prasov.
“On the research side, our primary goal is to make
advancements that will provide the best care for our patient population,” says Dr. Prasov. “By identifying patients and
The Multidisciplinary Ophthalmic Genetics
families with complex, rare diseases who are interested in
Clinic Team
participating in research studies, we can accelerate our
Ophthalmic Geneticist: Lev Prasov, M.D., Ph.D.
understanding of the diseases, improve genetic testing for
Pediatric Medical Geneticists: Jeff Innis, M.D., Ph.D.,
future patients, and develop molecular therapies.”
Amanda Pritchard, M.D.
The Ophthalmic Genetics Clinic is carrying on the tradition of Harold Falls, M.D., who helped establish the University of Michigan Heredity Clinic, the first of its kind in the United
Genetic Counselor: Adelyn Beil, M.S., M.P.H., C.G.C. Electrophysiology support: Naheed Khan, Ph.D.
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