Non-invasive Imaging of Ocular Blood Flow

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Non-invasive imaging of ocular blood flow

• IRAS ID

  188253

• Contact name

  Keith Martin

• Contact email

  keith.martin@addenbrookes.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Joint Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Currently there is no conclusive understanding about the impact that ocular blood flow has on drainage of fluid (aqueous) from the eye and intraocular pressure (IOP). We know there is a connection based on various diseases that cause raised ocular (episcleral) venous pressure and raised IOP. We suspect lowering episcleral venous pressure may help to lower intraocular pressure. We do not know what effect glaucoma medications have on episcleral venous drainage. This study aims to define the normal anatomy of ocular blood flow and to see whether commonly used glaucoma medications have an impact on this, resulting in increased aqueous drainage.

  Research questions:
  What is the normal anatomical relationship between episcleral venous drainage system and aqueous drainage?
  Why and how do commonly used medications and inflammatory conditions make the eye red and what is the effect on vascular flow, including episcleral flow and episcleral venous pressure?

  Relevance:
  Drugs that modify episcleral venous pressure are in development, but we need ways to measure and quantify their effect on blood flow non-invasively.

  Eligibility:
  Any glaucoma clinic patient

  Location:
  Addenbrooke's Ophthalmology department
  Patients recruited from the glaucoma clinic

  Method:
  Participants will undergo imaging of their episcleral venous system non-invasively using haemoglobin imaging.
  Participants with undergo episcleral venous pressure measurement with non-invasive venomanometry.
  Both examinations will be undertaken in the clinic and are normally used in some clinics as part of routine examination.

• REC name

  London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/LO/2171

• Date of REC Opinion

  18 Dec 2015

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion