Personality traits in patients seeking a consultation for floaters
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of personality traits in patients with symptomatic floaters seeking consultation for its treatment
IRAS ID
301344
Contact name
Niall Patton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Primary vitreous floaters (myodesopia) are a relatively common ophthalmic symptom resulting from opacities within the vitreous body the jelly which fills the back of the eye. They do not present a threat to visual acuity and the majority of patients adapt to the symptoms of floaters. Patients are not routinely seen for myodesopia and treatment is rarely offered. However it has been found that in some patients floaters can have a profoundly negative impact on quality of life (vision degrading myodesopsia), and these patients may be less able to adapt to their new visual symptoms and may be more likely to be in a depressive state. As a consequence these patients who are often young, are more likely to seek a consultation for possible therapeutic intervention in the form of a pars plana vitrectomy, despite the potential for this intervention to cause sight-loss should they experience any surgical complications. It has been found that personality traits can influence the symptoms patients experience and the likelihood of them experiencing depression or anxiety. Identifying which personality traits may increase the likelihood of patients suffering from a reduced quality of life due to myodesopia can help identify patient who would benefit from consultation for myodesopia to discuss treatment option, identify those that may require extra support to help prevent severe depression and anxiety due to the myodesopia, and may help provide evidence needed to develop newer less invasive treatments for myodesopia.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/1631
Date of REC Opinion
7 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion