Retinal Oxygenation Mapping in AMD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Retinal vessel oxygenation mapping in age related macula degeneration
IRAS ID
85440
Contact name
Rebekka Heitmar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aston University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
n/a, n/a
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease more common after the age of 50. AMD causes a gradual loss of central vision which is needed for detailed work, i.e. in reading and driving. Vision loss caused by AMD is irreversible. No treatment for the “dry” form (there are two types: wet and dry) is available to date although it accounts for approximately 80% of cases.
AMD is a progressive disease and treatment options are very limited and mainly restricted to slowing down progression, early detection and adequate monitoring is crucial. The relationship between oxygen saturation in these vessels (a marker of metabolic function) and the number and size of retinal lesions (a marker of degeneration) would further help in understanding the pathophysiology of AMD development and its progression.
To date no study has assessed AMD patients or explored the possibilities of oxygenation mapping as a tool for early detection, risk stratification and to gain better insight in its pathophysiology. A recently completed study using retinal vessel saturation measurements in healthy participants has revealed regional differences in oxygenation, showing higher levels of oxygen in the near-macular area vs the peripheral vessels, this finding may hold the key for AMD development.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0295
Date of REC Opinion
2 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion