Microperimetry changes in macular disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An investigation of microperimetry for monitoring retinal functional in selected macular disorders.
IRAS ID
344757
Contact name
Winfried Amoaku
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
The macula, situated at the central part of the retina with the fovea at its core, plays a crucial role in detailed vision, colour perception, and fixation capabilities. Traditionally, macular function is assessed by visual acuity (VA) measurements. However, VA only examines function in a very small part of the central macula (fovea). It is therefore not sensitive to pathology that does not affect the fovea. As such, VA is not affected by non-foveal disease, and is not an appropriate measure of function. Furthermore, VA may not assess earlier stages of foveal disease. Microperimetry (MP) assesses the sensitivity of different spatial locations of the macula. It is similar to standard automated perimetry, but has the advantage of correlating retinal sensitivity with retinal morphology, through the addition of fundus imaging, which allows precise topographic correlations of macular anatomy to light sensitivity.
To delve deeper into the complexities of macular pathologies, it is imperative to understand the distinct manifestations and implications of various conditions affecting the wide macula. While some retinal conditions, including diabetic macular oedema (DMO) may start with mild to moderate central vision blurring, and are sometimes treatable, others, such as hydroxychloroquine maculopathy that is untreatable, can progress to significant, and sometimes irreversible retinal damage if not detected early. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the commonest cause of vision loss in west and does not affect fovea early. We plan studying microperimetry changes in dry AMD particularly, geographic atrophy (GA), and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy including diabetic macular oedema, and patients taking hydroxychloroquine as treatment for rheumatological diseases. This study will improve our understanding of retinal functional characteristics including light threshold sensitivity, fixation location and stability using MP, particularly in the context of GA, DMO, and hydroxychloroquine. In addition, the association of biomechanical corneal changes in patients taking hydroxychloroquine will be investigated.REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/PR/1023
Date of REC Opinion
2 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion