A genetic saliva test indicating glaucoma risk is expected to be available to eyecare professionals by the end of this year, with its Australian developers saying it could also warn of aggressive progression in patients already diagnosed with the disease.

The polygenic patient-administered test was developed by an international team led by researchers from Flinders University, the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute and the University of Tasmania, including Auckland University’s Associate Professor Andrea Vincent and Dr Stephen Best. It will be marketed by a new company, Seonix Bio, based in South Australia. Although pricing is yet to be finalised, Seonix CEO Dr Nick Haan said the one-off test is likely to cost a few hundred dollars and should be available in Australia by the end of 2023, pending approval from the National Association of Testing Authorities.