High-resolution retinal imaging of inherited retinal degenerations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Imaging and functional assessment of cone photoreceptors in patients with inherited retinal degenerations
IRAS ID
195764
Contact name
Susan Downes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Inherited retinal degenerations (IRD) are a group of conditions that affect the retina in the eye. The retina is a delicate layer that lines the back of the eye and contains cells (called photoreceptors) that detect light. This study uses a piece of equipment that can take pictures of the photoreceptors at the back of the eye using a new high-resolution imaging technology. This technology is called adaptiveoptics and is very helpful in assessing the effect of IRD on photoreceptors at the back of the eye. Up to now, we have only been able to see layers of the retina, not individual photoreceptors. The aim is to add to our ability to monitor retinal degeneration by directly visualising the photoreceptors. We will also track how the disease progresses over time, which will allow us to compare normal retinas to those with an IRD. We are one of the few centres in Europe that can do this kind of work at present and have successfully carried out a small-scale study to perform high-resolution retinal imaging in patients with Stargard disease (a type of IRD) and healthy participants for comparison purposes. This type of high-resolution retinal imaging will be very important for imaging the eyes of patients who are suitable for retinal gene therapy or other emerging retinal therapies.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0265
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion