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With a name that comes from the mirror image of the traditional symbol for prescription, xR defines itself as a “natural prescription” for “restoring what your body is missing.”

xR goes a step further in bringing overall wellness, eye health, and prevention into eyecare practices. The company is providing the means for doctors to easily incorporate therapeutic genetic testing with nutrition and supplement services into their practices.

The company is empowering its doctors with the knowledge of how their patients’ particular body works, enabling them to make smart choices to improve quality of life with actionable recommendations and lifelong support. xR integrates genetic knowledge with the principles of epigenetics, which is a combination of food choice, targeted nutraceuticals, hormones, and lifestyle to help prevent disease and manage chronic illness.

“Ocular health is ultimately cellular health,” said Scott Sedlacek, OD. “For example, our eye health is determined by the health of the cells in the retinal pigment epithelium (macular degeneration), retinal ganglion cells (glaucoma), and vascular endothelial cells (diabetic retinopathy). Therapeutic genetic testing allows us to gather information about the patient’s cellular functioning—all of their cells, including the ones in their eyes. With that information, we optimize biochemical pathways and lower inflammation in the eye and body with precisely chosen foods and targeted nutraceuticals.”

The company provides a fully integrated program to optometrists, including comprehensive genetic testing, interpretation of the results, and treatment recommendations, which include targeted nutraceuticals and precise nutritional advice based on test results—not on guesswork or population studies.

It all starts with a Genetic Enzymatic Methylation Syndrome (GEMS) DNA test. This is a simple cheek swab test performed by the doctor to find the patient’s genetic mutations in the methylation pathway. Then the doctor performs a Food Sensitivity Test (a mere prick of the finger) to decode how the patient’s body chemistry processes particular types of foods.

After xR receives the test information, it provides the clinician with an easy-to-understand nutrigenomic report called the “Nutritional Genius.” The report details what foods the patient should avoid and what foods to eat in moderation and abundance. xR also provides the doctor with a nutraceutical program based on the results of the methylation genetic test, food allergy test, and patient history. According to the company, the balancing of the methylation pathway and minimization of inflammation from food allergies benefits many ocular and non-ocular illnesses.

“Our expertise is a multi-therapeutic approach that includes optimizing the methylation pathway,” explained George Rozakis, MD, chairman. “Research has shown this to be of great significance in regard to diseases not only of the eye but also the rest of the body. As a result, the precise care plans we provide to patients through their ECP take optometry into the era of personalized medicine."

Sedlacek believes that, “This new capability is extremely valuable in light of the megatrends happening with emerging models of health care today. It allows optometry to provide a more comprehensive type of eye and systemic care.” He coins it “personalized optometry.”

“Genetics and epigenetics are the future of all medicine,” added Rozakis. Bringing advanced overall wellness services like these into optometry has the power to generate practice revenue from the testing, nutraceuticals, and office visits, as they apply to a doctor’s entire patient base and not just one or two ocular conditions.

“The xR Nutritional Genius program is incredibly helpful to my patients, but it is also very profitable for my practice,” said Sedlacek. “For an individual patient, I net about $200 just for the test alone. Also, the results of the test include personalized recommendations for the patient that includes therapeutically necessary supplements. I also gain the alternate stream of passive revenue from the sale of these targeted nutraceuticals. The amount varies depending on the patient’s test results, of course, but on average I net about $150 per year, per patient.”

Genetic testing by xR starts with a Genetic Enzymatic Methylation Syndrome (GEMS) DNA test to find the patient’s genetic mutations in the methylation pathway.

The xR Food Sensitivity Test determines how the patient’s body chemistry processes particular types of foods.

The Nutritional Genius report details what foods the patient should avoid and what foods to eat in moderation and abundance.



What Optometrists Are Saying About xR ‘Nutritional Genius’ Genetic Testing

“The results were spot on and extremely valuable. I am personally feeling the benefits of the program. The custom pack system makes compliance with the program effortless. We are implementing Nutritional Genius in our own practice, as well as throughout PECAA in a national rollout. This will clearly put our doctor members at the forefront of preventive care by providing a wellness model that is not only beneficial to patients but also in line with our goal to make optometrists relevant in emerging models of care.”
– Brad Smith, OD, co-founder of PECAA, Portland, Ore.

“In the future, doctors will be focused on prevention of disease instead of waiting for disease to happen. Genetic tests, lab tests, and the examination will now determine precise patient needs. We are shifting from a model of acute care to preventive care. With xR, I am on the leading edge of this movement. Patients are looking for true health and wellness, and I am able to provide information for my patients to guide their medical future. The Nutritional Genius program through xR is one of the tools we use to promote our practice as unique and far advanced in our understanding of health.”
– Jason Clopton, OD, FCOVD, ABO, Center of Vision Development, Cookeville, Tenn.

“If you practice preventive care, xR and Nutritional Genius will change how you care for your patients, friends, and family. How many times a day do patients ask, “What can I do to keep my eyes healthy, and what supplements should I be taking?” As optometrists, it’s in our oath to provide our patients with the best care. My practice philosophy is to ‘focus on the person behind the eyes.’ xR is helping me to do exactly that.”
– Paul Colbourne, OD, Associates in Eyecare, Bristow, Va.

“I believe the tide is turning. More patients are becoming interested in preventive care. Every day I make recommendations to my patients based on longitudinal studies. But, now there is a genetic test that can be done to determine what nutrients an individual needs, what foods to eat, and what foods to avoid. By taking in the right nutrients, we can impact the methylation in the body and help correctly turn genes on and off. Methylation issues have been associated with eye diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. It is an exciting time to be an eye doctor!"
– Nathan Schramm, OD, CNS, Natural Eyes of Weston, Weston, Fla.

“I had migraines since I was 12. In college I had a doctor tell me to keep a food diary and gave me a list of possible offenders. It took me literally years to get to know what foods to avoid as it wasn’t always take a bite and get a migraine. With me, I could eat cured meats in small quantities and infrequently to avoid most migraines. After going through menopause, the migraines stopped, so it was a hormonal factor as well. I started eating those foods again and then started getting hypertension. I got my GEMS test results, and every one of the foods that I avoided for migraines was listed right there to avoid. I went back to avoiding them again, and my blood pressure is back to normal without meds. I offer this to my patients and lecture to anyone that will listen. My family doctor is now offering this test as well. I have had several patients who have had this done, and they have talked to lots of people about it and have had more referred to me.”
– Anna Hopkins, OD, True Vision, Lancaster, Ohio