Single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, are an active area of research that ties genetic variability to disease risk.  A number of  SNPs have been associated with risk of eye diseases such as AMD, exfoliation glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

The concept of tailoring dietary recommendations based on an individual’s genetics, called nutrigenomics, is still in its infancy, but is gearing up to have a major impact on development of foods, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical drugs (the latter area is called pharmacogenomics).

An international survey conducted by Datamonitor in  July and August 2010 assessed consumer interest in using genetic information to guide nutritional choices. It found that among Americans, 55 percent found the idea either Very or Somewhat Appealing.  This was up 11 percent from its August 2008 survey on the subject.

For more information on consumer in interest in nutrigenomics click here. ^[1]

For more research on SNPs related to AMD, exfoliation glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy click here ^[2], here ^[3]and here ^[4].

Risa Schulman, PhD
Expert, Healthy Food and Dietary Supplement Science, Marketing and Regulatory
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