TECTRA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Tablet TEChnology in the TRAining of visual field technique: TECTRA
IRAS ID
264027
Contact name
Eduardo Normando
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
19/YH/0336, REC reference
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Glaucoma is a potentially blinding condition that is often diagnosed late. This is because the loss of vision often occurs peripherally, and is therefore less noticeable for the patient. A way to test a patient’s peripheral vision is by using a visual field test. This test requires a patient to stare at a certain point, and press a button when they see a light appear in their peripheral vision. However, this test requires a lot of co-ordination and concentration. Therefore, the first few tests patients take often constitute a learning process. Our study is designed to see whether allowing patients to practice seeing these points using a tablet computer can improve their performance in the real test. This will provide eye doctors with reliable test results sooner and potentially allow them to make a diagnosis and start treatment before more vision is lost.
Summary of Results
To the best of our knowledge, our study provides a novel look into the potential benefits of using tablet technology in the assessment of visual field techniques and the diagnosis of Glaucoma. In conclusion, there was no significant improvement in the reliability of automated perimetry results in the group that had undergone training. This could be explained by a potential fatigue effect, the limitations of VFE, the small sample size, and the failure to account for certain confounders.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0336
Date of REC Opinion
3 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion