Qualitative outcomes of cultured limbal epithelial transplantation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient experience of cultured limbal epithelial transplantation – the development of a Quality of Life Measure
IRAS ID
134348
Contact name
Stephen J Tuft
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust
Research summary
Corneal opacity is a significant cause of blindness worldwide. A large proportion of these cases have corneal limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). For these patients, the eye has little or no vision, it is often cosmetically unsatisfactory, and it may be uncomfortable or painful.
Management of LSCD requires treatment of the underlying cause, surgical removal of corneal scarring, and transplantation of healthy limbal stem cells back onto the surface of the diseased eye. Over the past 10 years a new laboratory-based technique of cultured limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) has been introduced.
At present, the outcome measures reported for limbal stem cell transplants have been visual acuity and clinicians subjective interpretation of physical signs. Only a few studies have attempt to evaluate patient reported outcomes.
The aim of this project is to bring clinicians and patients together to develop a questionnaire tool for the assessment of qualitative outcomes in patients undergoing limbal stem cell transplantation. To achieve this we will consult with clinicians who treat patients with LSCD and patients who either have the condition or who have been treated for the condition to develop a questionnaire tool that will capture their experience and the qualitative variable that matter to them.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/EM/0425
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion