Eye movement tracking to monitor change in ocular nerve palsy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of high-resolution eye tracking to determine the impact of ocular nerve palsy on ocular movements and recovery.
IRAS ID
235701
Contact name
Noor Wafirah Shafee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 5 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Ocular nerve palsy causes eye movement problems and double vision. Approximately 70% of patients with ocular nerve palsy recover within two to six months. Recovery is most likely when the ocular nerve palsy is caused by vascular disease (for example in patients with diabetes or high blood pressure). Monitoring recovery is important because ocular nerve palsies that do not recover require further investigations, as the cause may be more sinister (for example a brain tumour), may be treatable (for example an aneurysm) or may have an impact on life expectancy (for example multiple sclerosis). Currently recovery is monitored in the eye clinic by observations and clinical measurements of eye movements, which are repeated regularly to measure any change. More subtle measurements are now possible with improved eye movement recording technology (Eyelink 1000+), however little is currently known about subtle eye movement changes that occur during ocular nerve palsy recovery. This longitudinal cohort study aims to add information to our current knowledge by measuring subtle changes in eye movements during ocular nerve palsy recovery. Patients with newly acquired ocular nerve palsy will be recruited to the study to undergo eye movement recordings, as well as their usual clinical observations and measurements. The Eyelink 1000+ will be used to measure a range of different types of eye movements (saccades, smooth pursuit and fixation) during ocular nerve palsy recovery. Patients' opinions of their recovery will also be considered. If the additional information provided by the eye movement recordings is useful, it may lead to clinical recommendations and/or changes in practice for patients with ocular nerve palsy.
Summary of Results
The Eye Movement Recording technique, programmes, and analysis strategies are simple-to-use technology that generates a permanent record and reproducible results. Additionally, it can assist clinicians in making decisions during the recovery period of patients with acquired ocular nerve palsies. The findings yielded encouraging results which merit further investigation and development.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0672
Date of REC Opinion
11 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion