Eye movement excursions and aging V1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The Affect of Aging on eye Movement Excursions in Asymptomatic Adults

  • IRAS ID

    349708

  • Contact name

    Tess Garretty

  • Contact email

    tess.garretty@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    N/A, N/A

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    It is known that the extent of eye movements can deteriorate with age. It is also known that in some individuals, the connective tissue between two or more extra-ocular muscles can stretch or split changing the power and action of the muscles involved, leading to eye movement difficulties and double vision. It is believed that this affects individuals aged around 70yrs or older.
    There is some research that shows eye movements may start to deteriorate gradually from an earlier age rather than it always being an acute problem as previously thought. Most of the research has looked at how the eyes move into the straight up, down and sideways directions using methods not available in the clinical setting. This does not identify which of the eye muscles are actually affected and is not easily relatable to patients attending the clinic.
    This study aims to investigate how aging affects the extent of eye movements into the direction of action of each of the six extra-ocular muscles in groups of asymptomatic individuals aged 20 and older using clinical methods available in most Hospital Orthoptic departments. This knowledge may prevent unnecessary investigations (such as MRI scanning) when people attend an eye department with eye movement disorders into elevation and side gaze in particular.

  • REC name

    London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    25/PR/0547

  • Date of REC Opinion

    3 Jun 2025

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion