SURVEILLANCE OF ACANTHAMOEBA KERATITIS CASES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Research type
Research Study
Full title
SURVEILLANCE OF ACANTHAMOEBA KERATITIS CASES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: Incidence and aetiology.
IRAS ID
128492
Contact name
Derek Tole
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 5 days
Research summary
Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) is a sight threatening infection of the cornea. It is most frequently found in contact lens wearers, particularly those who have poor lens hygiene. Other risk factors include exposure to standing water and agricultural environments. There has been anecdotal evidence that the incidence of AK is increasing.
This study aims to identify the total number of new cases in the UK through a central reporting system with the aid of the British Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit (BOSU).
Risk factors for developing the condition can then be identified, we may also identify any regional and environmental factors that may increase the risk of developing AK, such as specific water supplies as hypothesised by previous studies.
Cases will be identified through a report card system (created by BOSU), whereby an ophthalmologist will notify the chief investigator via BOSU that they have seen a new patient diagnosed with AK. The clinician will then be sent a questionnaire which will ask for clinical details and associated factors for the condition. The questionnaire will not seek personal details beyond gender, month and year of birth, ethnicity and region in which they live.
Once the data has been collated we will be able to gain further information on the condition and we will be able to update existing incidence figures for the UK.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
14/WS/1127
Date of REC Opinion
11 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion