Optometric versus ophthalmic follow up of cataract surgery in N.I
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optometric versus ophthalmic follow up of cataract surgery patients in N.I: A mixed methods study
IRAS ID
225997
Contact name
Nathan Congdon
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 0 days
Research summary
The study will be a mixed methods study and will look at follow up of cataract surgery being conducted by the surgeon or with the original referring optometrist 4-6 weeks following surgery. Patients will then return 6 months after surgery for an additional follow up visit with an ophthalmologist other than the operating surgeon with patient healthcare satisfaction, cost effectiveness and safety outcomes being measured. Patient satisfaction will be assessed using the PSQ-18 questionnaire and a subset of patients and local clinicians will also take part in a one-time individual semi-structured interview. Only patients with age related cataracts will be included in the study, excluding those considered as high risk of loss of visual acuity in the operative eye (e.g. end stage glaucoma etc).
This research will test an alternative model of aftercare surgeries, which may reduce waiting time and help develop aftercare of cataract surgeries. In turn this could help reduce waiting time, improve patient satisfaction and reduce costs for both patients and the HSC.
Participants can be anyone going for aged related cataract surgery in Belfast and Southern trust.
Participants will be asked to remain in the study for a period of 6 months. Participants will be recruited by operating surgeons. Interviews will be conducted by a trained PhD student. Research will take place in the hospital/clinic/optometrists.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
18/NI/0117
Date of REC Opinion
31 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion