Feasibility assessment of a new eye-test (“Eyecatcher Lite”)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Eyecatcher Lite: Feasibility assessment of a tablet-based eye-tracking platform to screen for visual field loss.
IRAS ID
230440
Contact name
David Crabb
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
City, University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 25 days
Research summary
This study will evaluate a rapid, inexpensive, and portable perimeter (“Eyecatcher Lite”): a device designed to detect blind-spots in the visual field.
We have shown previously that this device can detect vision loss in laboratory conditions (see Supporting Documents). We now wish to assess the feasibility of using it as a rapid screening tool in a real-world scenario.
The equipment consists primarily of an ordinary tablet computer and a ‘clip-on’ eye tracker. The tablet-screen is used to display brief spots of light. The eye-tracker is used to position the lights relative to the current point-of-fixation, and to measure whether the patient responded to (looked at) each light.
The participant's task is simply to look at any spots of light that they notice. The seen and unseen location are then used to construct a ‘map’ of blindspots in the visual field. Unlike current similar tests, the participant is not required maintain fixation on a central target, and a chin/forehead rest is not required (i.e., since the eye-tracker can be used to compensate for any eye or head movements).
The study will examine patients with a range of known/suspected visual impairments, who will be tested in clinics while waiting for pre-existing appointments. Patients will complete the test monocularly four times (twice in each eye), with each test lasting approximately 2--3 minutes. The results of the test will be compared to those from standard visual field assessments (which all patients complete as part of routine assessments). These data will allow us to assess the accuracy and test-retest reliability of the new device. Patients will also be invited to provide feedback on the relative comfort and ease of the test.
The study is funded by a peer-reviewed Fight for Sight grant (#2016-1854-crabb), held by Prof David Crabb at City, University of London.REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0046
Date of REC Opinion
14 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion