PHOTON
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the contribution of photoreceptive systems to vision in health and disease
IRAS ID
344703
Contact name
Andrew Thomas Rider
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Vision occurs when photons of light are detected by retinal cells. These cells express distinct proteins known as opsins that enable the transduction of light to neuronal signals. Together, these cells are known as photoreceptors, and constitute the three types of cones, rods, and more recently discovered intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Each photoreceptor contributes differently to human vision and other light-dependent functions. Importantly, different photoreceptor populations are differentially affected by certain ocular diseases. There is some evidence that certain photoreceptors, such as the ipRGCs, may even survive the disease process in conditions like inherited optic neuropathies and inherited retinal dystrophy. This study aims to evaluate the contribution to vision made by each photoreceptor in a variety of eye diseases, and compare this with normal sight. This will be done by constructing special vision tests, consisting images made up of wavelengths of light that are specially adjusted to be visible only to photoreceptors of interest. This may uncover new insights about how these diseases affect vision, reveal residual photoreceptor responses that may be a suitable target for novel therapies and aids, and also validate an outcome measure for therapies that aim to restore photoreceptor function. The study will take place at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. Adult participants with eye diseases that affect one or more photoreceptor will be recruited, alongside healthy controls. Participants will undertake a series of eye tests, which involve reporting on features of images that are seen on a display screen, or having pupil or eye tracking responses measured while watching these images. The study will last a year.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0321
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion