Acceptability of intra-vitreal injections in geographic atrophy (GA)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Acceptability of intra-vitreal injections in geographic atrophy (GA): a mixed-methods pilot study
IRAS ID
287824
Contact name
Christiana Dinah
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Central Middlesex Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of blindness, affecting the central part of a person’s vision; Geographic Atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of AMD. In GA, loss of central vision occurs due to degeneration of cells in the retina, causing large gaps or alterations in vision. Globally, 5 million people have GA, and GA accounts for ~26% of legal blindness in the UK.
There is currently no available treatment for GA. Recently however, progress has been made in developing possible treatments to slow GA growth. Whilst these work in different ways, they mostly involve injections into the eye, regularly for an indefinite period. These eye injections occur at monthly, bimonthly or 3 monthly intervals, and may slow growth of GA by up to 30% in 1 year, depending on therapy and frequency of injections, meaning GA takes longer to affect vision, and patients keep useful central vision for longer.
From other eye diseases, we know eye injections are associated with significant anxiety and stress, as well as the burden of attending regular hospital appointments. Nevertheless, patients are often highly motivated to attend these appointments. Whilst in other conditions, eye injections improve vision, proposed GA treatments slow vision loss but will not improve vision. It is therefore unknown whether GA patients will be similarly motivated to adhere to treatments, how often they would be willing to undergo them, and what factors would make treatments acceptable.
In this study, we aim to understand factors affecting acceptability of eye injections to people with GA. We will explore trade-offs GA patients are willing to make to prevent further visual decline. Using semi-structured interviews we will explore themes around patients’ understanding of GA, perception of eye injections and burden of treatment.
Results will help inform therapy development, service delivery, and patient education.REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0085
Date of REC Opinion
10 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion