FUSCHIA STUDY
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Function and Structure Correlation in aging and age related macular degeneration
IRAS ID
174666
Contact name
Sobha Sivaprasad
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a condition that affects the retinal layer at the back of the eye and causes blurring of fine detailed vision that is used for activities such as sewing, reading and driving. In advanced cases, it can cause loss of central vision.
The ophthalmologist may see small spots called "drusen" at the back of the eye; this is part of the normal ageing process and does not affect vision. In some cases these drusen get larger and may lead to the development of AMD. However, some patients develop AMD without any of these changes in the retina. Some patients may carry genes that are related to AMD and develop AMD without drusen. So the mechanism by which this disease affect the retina and visual function is still very poorly understood because there is very little research done before or at the early stages of AMD.
This study is an observational study, aiming to increase the understanding of the natural history of AMD and evaluate the characteristics and possible eye problems before the onset of advanced AMD in people with early AMD, or family members of people with AMD and any willing person above the age of 55 years who have no known eye conditions who are keen to have these tests done and the eyes monitored during the study.
Participants will be seen annually at 12, 24, 36, months and data will be collected at each visit. This will include and eye examination, multiple visual function tests, images of the back of the eye and a sputum sample to study genetics and the DNA will be stored for future research in this condition.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1317
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion