King LASIK First in Pacific Northwest to Offer Avellino DNA Dual Test for LASIK Safety

RENTON, Wash., July 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- King LASIK, a leading-edge, full service eye care facility with seven Pacific Northwest locations, today announced its partnership with Avellino Lab USA, developer of the only commercially available genetic test  worldwide for Granular Corneal Dystrophy (GCD), a disease that can eventually lead to complete loss of vision. King LASIK's surgeons and nurses have completed many years of advanced academic and clinical training. The practice's lead surgeon – Dr. Joseph King – has performed more than 85,000 laser eye surgery procedures. His surgical excellence has been recognized by many celebrities, military personnel and pilots who have selected him as their LASIK surgeon. Now, King LASIK will be offering the Avellino DNA Dual Test for LASIK Safety to all of its LASIK patients to further increase patient safety and success.   

Avellino Lab USA, a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certified molecular diagnostic testing lab, was launched in March 2013 and is based in Menlo Park, California. The Avellino DNA Dual Test was developed to detect Granular Corneal Dystrophy type 1 (GCD1) and type 2 (GCD2), a disease that causes cloudiness, specifically grey-white granular protein deposits on the corneas, which can lead to loss of clear vision. GCD has been diagnosed in patients throughout the world and is one of the more well-known corneal dystrophies related to genetic mutations. While GCD usually develops slowly, carriers of this genetic mutation are at an extremely high risk of accelerated opacity formations should they undergo vision-correction surgery such as LASIK, LASEK or PRK. Fortunately, the Avellino DNA Dual Test for LASIK Safety positively identifies, with high accuracy, if a person has the genetic mutation. By doing so, the test reduces the risk of patients with the GCD mutation having post-LASIK vision impairment and increases their confidence that they are avoiding unnecessary harm to their vision. 

"We pride ourselves in offering our patients the latest technologies to make vision correction surgery even safer," said Dr. Joseph King. "We are thrilled to be the first in the Pacific Northwest to offer patients the Avellino DNA Dual Test, adding a level of safety to the LASIK procedure that other laser eye centers in this area cannot offer."

The Avellino DNA Dual Test is easy and safe. The test involves a simple mouth swab to determine whether a person carries the GCD1 or the GCD2 gene mutation. Specifically, the ophthalmologist takes 10 swipes from the inside of each cheek in order to obtain an adequate sample. The sample is then sent to Avellino Lab USA, and within 24 to 48 hours, the results are provided to the King LASIK physician to share with the patient. Based on a negative result, patients are able to proceed with the planned LASIK procedure with confidence. If an individual is identified as positive for the genetic mutation, he or she will be advised against having LASIK surgery and encouraged to take protective measures, such as minimizing exposure to UV light by wearing appropriate protective lenses to help postpone the progression of GCD symptoms.

"King LASIK's adoption of the Avellino DNA Dual Test truly emphasizes their continuous commitment to delivering state-of-the-art technology to their patients," said Scott Korney, COO of Avellino Lab USA. "By partnering with respected laser vision clinics such as King LASIK, Avellino Lab USA continues to make eye correction surgery safer for patients throughout the country."

About King LASIK Centers 
Having dedicated his career to refractive surgery and believing strongly in the amazing results and safety of laser vision correction, Dr. King has combined his skills with the best surgeons in the area, opening seven centers to serve patients throughout the Pacific Northwest. With the experience of over 85,000 laser vision correction procedures, Dr. King and his staff combines experience with the most advanced technology and the best safety record and overall patient satisfaction. King LASIK is the premier LASIK provider in the Pacific Northwest.

About Avellino Lab USA 
Avellino Lab USA has developed the first and only commercially available testing system, the Avellino DNA Dual Test for LASIK Safety, for Granular Corneal Dystrophy type 1 (GCD1) and Granular Corneal Dystrophy type 2 (GCD2), also known as Avellino Corneal Dystrophy (ACD). The company's proprietary genetic diagnostics system provides fast, safe and affordable evaluations of an individual's genetic predisposition to GCD1 and/or GCD2. With the Avellino DNA Dual Test, Avellino Lab USA is able to positively identify, with high accuracy, a patient's GCD status. Based on the test's results, patients and their physician can make an informed decision when considering vision correction surgery.

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SOURCE Avellino Lab USA