The Ocular Immunology Laboratory at Casey Eye Institute offers several anti-retinal autoantibody tests that support clinical symptoms of Cancer-Associated Retinopathy (CAR), Melanoma-Associated Retinopathy (MAR), Autoimmune Retinopathy, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), and anti-optic nerve autoantibody tests for Autoimmune Optic Neuropathy in serum and fluids. 

Offered Tests 

For serum Anti-retinal Autoantibodies: 

• Autoimmune Retinopathy Panel by Immunoblot 
• CAR Panel by Immunoblot and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) 
• MAR Panel by Immunoblot and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) 
• Anti-Bestrophin Autoantibodies 
• AMD Panel by Immunoblot
• Western blot for anti-retinal autoantibodies (recommended only in follow up cases)  

For Autoimmune Optic Neuropathy in Serum and/or Cerebrospinal Fluid: 

• Western blot for anti-optic nerve autoantibodies in the serum 
• Western blot for anti-optic nerve autoantibodies in CSF 

Indications for testing

How to Submit a Specimen 

• Submit the completed Requisition Form with specimen that must include all of the following items 
• Patient's name, gender and birthday 
• Specimen collection date 
• Referring clinic or physician name and contact information, including fax number (email for international clinicians) 
• Clinical history and findings (attach clinical notes) 
• Clearly marked name of test requested 
• Pre-payment - check or major credit card accepted, we do not bill insurance

Specimen Requirements 

• Please do not send or freeze whole blood 
• Draw blood in red top tubes (serum gel tubes are also acceptable)  
• Spin down and send serum in plastic vials 
• Serum (3 to 5 ml) ″Fluids (0.5 ml) 
• Serum can be stored in a refrigerator no longer than 7 days until shipping 
• Do not ship on Friday