US researchers are studying an investigational AI-powered app designed to let glaucoma patients perform visual field testing at home using a smartphone, low-cost virtual reality headset and handheld clicker.
Researchers at the University of South Florida (USF), who developed the GlaucTest, said the technology aims to replicate the gold-standard Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer used in clinics. Dr Ramesh Ayyala, from USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, said the goal is to turn equipment costing around NZ$52,000 into an at-home testing setup costing around $72.
After patients complete a five-minute test for each eye, results are securely uploaded for their ophthalmologist’s review, USF said.
“Patients have to come to us for regular testing… many simply don’t come often enough,” said Dr Ayyala. GlaucTest is intended to support more frequent remote monitoring for people with glaucoma, he said. “We want to use technology to move to a place where physicians monitor patients remotely while they test themselves at home. The goal is to give the power to the patient, the best way to manage chronic diseases like glaucoma.”
In 2021, Flinders University researchers led by Professor Jamie Craig announced the development of SightScore, a saliva test that shows how a person’s glaucoma risk compares to that of the general population. The test has been available in New Zealand since 2025.
