Iowa physicians, Drs. Edwin Stone, Arlene Drack and Val Sheffield, helped develop guidelines for ophthalmologists when considering genetic testing. The recommendations outline the benefits to genetic testing for inherited eye diseases and the role ophthalmologists should take in testing and counseling of patients.

The statement, created in response to a Council Advisory Recommendation, is intended to provide guidance to Academy members on principles underlying the approach to genetic testing and the role of ophthalmologists in genetic testing. It also provides recommendations on ensuring genetic counseling when patients are tested, avoiding direct-to-consumer genetic testing and avoiding routine genetic testing for genetically complex diseases until clinical trials confirm benefit. The Task Force members include: Edwin Stone, MD, PhD, Chair, Anthony Aldave, MD, Arlene Drack, MD, Mathew MacCumber, MD, PhD, Val Sheffield, MD, PhD, Elias Traboulsi, MD and Richard Weleber, MD.