Optic Nerves in Children born Early (ONCE) Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optic Nerves in Children born Early (ONCE): associations with early-life and genetic factors
IRAS ID
194230
Contact name
A L Creavin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
In the UK, 1 in 500 children has very poor vision. Children can find it hard to understand or communicate a sight problem so objective measures are important. One objective measure that could be helpful in identifying or monitoring children at risk of vision problems is the parameters of the nerve and a layer of the retina at the back of the eye. This can be measured using a non-contact photo-like scan called an OCT (optical coherence tomography), which does not involve being put to sleep or exposed to radiation. \nChildren born early are at high risk of brain injury and poor vision. It is important to be able to identify children with brain injury or who are at risk of poor vision early as this allows them to access help such as developmental support and glasses. \nChildren born before 32 weeks gestation, who are taking part in the Neonatal Gene Study (NGS) will be eligible for this study. \nThis research aims to determine whether taking measurements at the back of the eye enables detection of brain injury by looking and whether it gives any indication of what a child’s future vision or processing will be like. This information may allow parents and families to have more information about their child’s development in the longer term.\nAt 3 months old NGS infants will be invited to attend an eye appointment, usually on the same day as their St Michael’s appointment. Drops will be instilled to numb the eyes and to enlarge the pupils. When the drops have worked the focusing power of the eyes will be measured and then a short OCT scan will be done.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SW/0267
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion