Evaluation of retinal blood flow in primary open angle glaucoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of retinal blood flow in primary open angle glaucoma using optical coherence tomography angiography
IRAS ID
209051
Contact name
Lei Liu
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Glaucoma is a major disease that potentially results in irreversible blindness and the second leading cause of induced vision loss worldwide. Glaucoma is a neurovascular disease, yet to date there is limited understanding of how vasculature changes in glaucoma. A growing body of evidence has suggested that vascular factors play a critical role in the development of glaucoma. Some prospective studies have demonstrated that in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) blood flow is diminished in the ophthalmic, retinal, choroidal, and retrobulbar circulations. Recently, a newly developed imaging system named Optic Coherence Tomography Angiogram (OCTA) has demonstrated the ability to quantify retinal and disc blood flow rapidly and accurately. It is a non-invasive technique that does not require the injection of any exogenous dye or contrast agent and provides near-automatic quantification of blood perfusion.
OCTA makes it possible for clinician to visualise and assess retinal small vessels. However, there are only limited number of literatures on interpretation of OCTA in retinal diseases and even fewer in glaucoma. This observational study will provide novel information on whether OCTA can be used as a routine care for glaucoma patients to detect early structural damages before functional loss of vision. This is only a feasibility study with small number of patients. Prospective study with a larger number of patients and repeated images will be required to further validate the conclusion.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0277
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion