ENLIGHTEN study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effects of changing light levels on contrast sensitivity in patients with glaucoma. An observational study
IRAS ID
238000
Contact name
James F Kirwan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Patients with glaucoma find it difficult to visually adapt when entering a room with low light conditions. This is well recognised observation but it is not formally described in peer- reviewed literature.
The purpose of our, real world study is to explore contrast sensitivity differences after changes in ambient light setting in patients with glaucoma compared with controls (patients with ocular hypertension). Participants will be asked to read a Pelli- Robson chart under photopic (bright light conditions) and mesopic (intermediate light conditions); followed by scotopic conditions (dim light conditions). This chart is a fast, easy, and effective way to measure spatial contrast sensitivity with reliable and reproducible results. This study will help clinicians gain more insight into glaucoma related disability and provide a possible additional tool to visual field testing in patients with advanced glaucoma where VF testing may be hampered by floor effects.
The study is a prospective observational study where participants will be recruited from the Ophthalmology department (Outpatient department, Eye Casualty). Only one research visit will be required. Participants will be asked to fill in a set of questionnaires (Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25, Low Luminance Questionnaire) assessing their quality of life and vision and their full medical history will be collected. Then they will have their contrast sensitivity tested under various light conditions.
The study participants will be patients with a diagnosis of glaucoma (including primary open angle glaucoma, pigment dispersion syndrome, pseudoexfoliation, normal tension glaucoma, chronic angle closure glaucoma, narrow angle glaucoma) or ocular hypertension aged ≥40 years old.REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0657
Date of REC Opinion
1 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion