High-resolution imaging of inherited retinal degenerations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Imaging and functional assessment of cone photoreceptors in Stargardt disease in relation to specific ABCA4 mutations
IRAS ID
166429
Contact name
Susan M Downes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
15/SC/0144, REC South Central - Oxford B
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This is a small-scale study using a piece of equipment which can take pictures of the back of the eye which uses new high resolution imaging capabilities. This technology is called adaptive-optics and is expected to be very helpful in assessing the effect of inherited retinal diseases on the back of the eye. We aim to image the retinas of 5 patients with Stargardt disease, an inherited retinal degeneration associated with mutations in the ABCA4 gene and 5 controls for comparison purposes. The aim is to add to our ability to monitor retinal degeneration by visualising the light sensing cells called cones at the back of the eye located in the retina. It is the pilot study for a larger endeavour to enable widespread use of this type of equipment to visualise cells using high magnification. There are very few centres in the world that can do this kind of work at the present and this type of imaging will be of key importance for imaging the eye for patients who are suitable for retinal gene therapy or other retinal therapies.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0144
Date of REC Opinion
17 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion