Ring of Sight Pilot Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Ring of Sight Study - pilot phase to inform the proposed Functional Impairment in Glaucoma Study (FIGS)

  • IRAS ID

    170958

  • Contact name

    Andrew Tatham

  • Contact email

    atatham@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    NHS Lothian

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Glaucoma is a progressive disease of the optic nerve and the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Visual loss associated with glaucoma is typically assessed using a visual field test known as standard automated perimetry (SAP). Unfortunately many patients find conventional visual field testing difficult to perform often resulting in unreliable tests.
    The Functional Impairment in Glaucoma Study (FIGS) is an observational study which aims to better understand the impact of glaucoma on daily living and ability to perform tasks such as driving, walking, finding objects on a supermarket shelf, and using a tablet computer. We hope to develop better tools to measure disease in clinic, identify those at risk of losing ability to function and help inform treatment decisions. We also hope to determine whether some patients are able to employ adaptive mechanisms that minimize the effect of disease on their quality of life that could potentially be taught to others.
    The first phase of FIGS will be to conduct a pilot study to evaluate a new visual field test, developed in Aberdeen, known as Ring of Sight. This test can be conducted on a laptop computer so has the potential to be used in communities without access to conventional expensive visual field testing equipment. We also suspect the Ring of Sight will be an easier test to perform compared to standard visual field tests.

  • REC name

    South East Scotland REC 01

  • REC reference

    15/SS/0100

  • Date of REC Opinion

    15 Jul 2015

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion