Distortion as a predictor of ERM surgery outcome
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does pre-operative D-chart score predict improvement in VFQ-25 score following surgery for epiretinal membrane?
IRAS ID
246530
Contact name
David Yorston
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS GGC Clinical Research and Development Central Office
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 5 days
Research summary
Epiretinal membranes (ERM) consist of an abnormal growth of tissue across the retina and are present about 6% of people aged 50 and over. They can cause symptoms of distortion (straight lines appearing bent) or blurred vision. Management options include observation if stable, or surgery to peel off this membrane if progressive or troublesome to the patient. Limited data exists regarding how to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from this procedure. Patients with ERM now constitute one of the most common referrals to the vitreoretinal service. Being able to identify patients who are more likely to experience an improvement following surgery would help patients decide whether to proceed with this elective procedure.
We propose to measure the effects on distortion (using D chart), visual acuity and vision-related quality of life (using a validated vision-related quality of life questionnaire) of having ERM surgery. This will allow us to investigate whether pre-operative D chart score can predict subsequent improvement in quality of life following surgery. We hope the results will facilitate the decision of whether or not to proceed with ERM surgery.
The study will be a prospective case series consisting of patients with symptomatic epiretinal membranes presenting to the vitreoretinal department, who choose to proceed with epiretinal membrane surgery and can give valid consent for participation. The above measurements will be taken pre-op and post-op (at 26 and 52 weeks). The study participants will be given standard care. Recruitment will be at a single site in Glasgow, with a potential view to recruiting other sites (in England and Spain) at a later stage.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
19/NS/0082
Date of REC Opinion
10 May 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion