DiaPlexQ™ Avellino Corneal Dystrophy (ACD) Real-Time PCR Genotyping Kit

ACD is a hereditary disease and one of the corneal dystrophies involving the formation of corneal opacities on different Layers of the corneal stroma, which leads to significant impairment of the corneal transparency and refraction. ACD is caused by the formation and deposition of abnormal hyaline protein which is generated by the replacement of histidine from arginine due to the mutation of cordon 124 (exon 4) in the βigh 3 gene. The deposited abnormal hyaline protein is usually known as kerato-epithelin and forms a granular, lattice precipitate causing visual impairment and might lead to blindness if it remains undiagnosed. Genetic mutation is highly accelerated after laser eye surgery in those people who have ACD, causing a worsening in vision rather than improvement after surgery. The awareness of ACD has developed across the world, with some opticians now refusing access to LASIK in patients with ACD due to the harmful effects the procedure has on patients.