Investigating cataract and retinal structure in Down syndrome.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterising cataract and investigating retinal structure in the Down syndrome eye.
IRAS ID
191505
Contact name
Julie-Anne Little
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 2 days
Research summary
Cataract is defined as a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye that results in a scattering of light onto the retina and subsequent reduction in quality of vision. It is classified by its location within the lens and degree of cloudiness. Cataracts occurring due to age are a normal phenomenon but they can arise due to other factors including trauma, systemic disease, side-effects of medication and genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome (DS).
This study will investigate the morphology of cataract and also obtain measurements of retinal structures in the DS eye. Previous research has shown an increased instance of cataract and atypical retinal structure in this population however, these conditions have not been studied in detail and may play a significant role in the well documented reduction in visual acuity that has been noted in DS. Further to the above, recent post-mortem studies on individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and DS have noted the presence of a specific type of cataract in the lens; the researchers responsible for these findings have suggested that this profile of cataract may act as a marker for AD. Other research has suggested that a build up of protein relevant to AD occurs in the retinal layers.
Over a period of 16 months, participants with DS aged between six and 60 years will be recruited to be seen once at Ulster University's optometry clinic. A series of in-vivo images of their natural crystalline lens and retina will be taken non-invasively and will be analysed to determine retinal characteristics and to note the presence, type, severity and location of cataract.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
16/NI/0200
Date of REC Opinion
13 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion