What Is a Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) Test for Glaucoma?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with glaucoma — or told you're a "glaucoma suspect" — you've probably wondered: How fast will this progress? Will I lose my vision? Until recently, those questions could only be answered with time and repeated clinical exams. Now, a new type of genetic test is changing that.

The Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) test analyzes 2.5 million genetic variants from a simple saliva sample to estimate your personal risk of glaucoma progression. It's the first tool of its kind available directly to patients — and MyEyes is one of the first providers to offer it.

What Is a Polygenic Risk Score?

Most diseases aren't caused by a single gene. Glaucoma is no exception. A polygenic risk score looks at thousands of small genetic variations across your DNA — each one contributing a tiny amount of risk — and combines them into a single, actionable score.

Think of it like a weather forecast for your eyes. No single data point tells the whole story, but when you combine millions of genetic signals, patterns emerge. Your PRS places you on a percentile scale: someone in the 85th percentile has higher genetic risk than 85% of the general population.

Why This Matters for Glaucoma Patients

Glaucoma treatment isn't one-size-fits-all. Some patients progress slowly and can be managed conservatively. Others need aggressive intervention early. The challenge has always been figuring out which category you fall into before it's too late.

A PRS test helps answer that question by adding genetic context to your clinical picture. Combined with IOP measurements, visual field tests, and OCT imaging, your doctor can make more informed decisions about:

Treatment intensity — Should you start with drops, or move toward SLT or surgery sooner?

Monitoring frequency — Do you need quarterly visits, or is twice a year sufficient?

Target IOP — Should your doctor aim for a lower target pressure based on your genetic risk profile?

Who Should Consider a PRS Test?

The test is especially valuable for:

Glaucoma suspects — You've been told your optic nerve looks suspicious or your pressures are borderline. A PRS score can help determine if watchful waiting is appropriate or if you should start treatment.

Early-stage glaucoma patients — You've been recently diagnosed and are making initial treatment decisions. Genetic risk data can help guide how aggressive to be.

Patients with family history — Multiple relatives with glaucoma significantly increases your risk. A PRS test quantifies that inherited risk with precision.

Patients at treatment decision points — Considering a change in medication, SLT, or surgery? Genetic risk context can inform that decision.

How the Test Works

The process is straightforward. MyEyes ships a collection kit to your home. You provide a saliva sample (takes less than a minute), mail it back in the prepaid envelope, and a CLIA-certified lab processes your DNA. In 4-6 weeks, you receive a detailed clinical report showing:

Your risk percentile — Where you fall compared to the general population

Key genetic factors — Which variants contribute most to your risk

Monitoring recommendations — Suggested testing schedules based on your profile

Treatment insights — Evidence-based guidance on approaches that may be more effective for your genetic profile

What the PRS Test Is Not

It's important to set expectations. A PRS test does not diagnose glaucoma. It doesn't replace your eye exams, and it doesn't predict outcomes with certainty. It's one piece of a larger puzzle — but it's a piece that didn't exist before.

Also worth noting: current PRS research is most accurate for people of European ancestry. Research is actively expanding to other populations, but accuracy varies. Your doctor can help you understand what the results mean in your specific context.

Combining PRS with Home IOP Monitoring

Here's where it gets powerful. If your PRS test reveals elevated genetic risk, that's a strong signal to monitor your eye pressure more closely. The iCare HOME2 tonometer lets you measure IOP at home — morning, evening, or anytime you want — capturing the pressure fluctuations that office visits miss.

Together, genetic risk data and continuous IOP monitoring give your doctor a far more complete picture than either alone. It's the difference between a single snapshot and a full documentary.

Getting Started

The PRS test is available now through MyEyes for $499 — a one-time cost with no subscription required. To order, visit our PRS Genetic Test page or call us at 1-888-959-5563. Our Patient Ambassadors — who are glaucoma patients themselves — can answer any questions you have about the test.

Your DNA has been telling a story about your glaucoma risk your whole life. Now you can finally read it.