At an inaugural fundraiser partnered with Vision Research Foundation, around 100 invited guests gained an exclusive look at transformative glaucoma research.
Professor Jamie Craig travelled from Adelaide to present his research. This research has led to a polygenic risk score (PRS) named SightScore™. This is the first clinically available polygenic score for glaucoma, and one of the first in medicine. And now it’s available to New Zealanders.
What has the research led to?
“We can amalgamate a very large number of common genetic variants into a single ‘score’ that’s easy to understand” says Prof. Craig. That’s what the SightScore™ test is. This score places individuals on a continuum of risk, helping to predict their likelihood of developing glaucoma.
What does it mean for patients in NZ?
His research gives you and all New Zealanders a new option to better understand your glaucoma risk over your lifetime. And the lifetime of your loved ones. This is especially important due to the strong hereditary component of glaucoma.
Prof. Craig described how this test aids in identifying high-risk individuals early. Potentially before any symptoms or significant visual field loss. He discussed how it helps clinicians to personalise patient management strategies. For example monitoring, to deciding on interventions like surgery or laser treatments.
Can my family members get tested?
The SightScore™ test is currently only available through ophthalmologists and optometrists in NZ. They would request a test for you or your loved ones who may be at risk.
The test needs a little bit of saliva from the cheek of the person to be tested which takes a minute or two. The sample goes off in the post to the SeonixBio labs in Australia. Then the algorithms run, and an accredited report is emailed back to the referring clinician around four to six weeks later.
Professor Craig says, “I’m speaking as an academic, but we also have got our science into the clinic now and the SightScore™ test will be available in New Zealand from now.” He confirmed “it’s a private paid tests and it’s about $349.00 in Australia.”
Glaucoma NZ Trust Chair & Scientific Director of Vision Research Foundation, Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer says, “I think it’s a fantastic example of scientific discovery making clinical impact.”
Glaucoma NZ General Manager Pippa Martin agreed, “this shows the tangible impact investment in research has on patient outcomes. We were proud to partner with Vision Research Foundation for this event.”
Find out more here.