Australian researchers report that it may be possible in a few years to diagnose Alzheimer's disease with a simple eye test.

Researcher Ashley Bush of the University of Melbourne said he has high levels of beta amyloid, a protein linked to Alzheimer's, in the eye lenses of people who have died with the disease.

"You could get a diagnostic test by going to an ophthalmologist," Bush said.

While Bush declined to provide further details pending publication of his research in a scientific journal,

Ross Murdoch of Prana Biotechnology, a Melbourne company developing Bush's research, said it would be some years before a simple eye test was available.

Other sources: The Age (Melbourne)