TEMPO Temporary Sight Loss in Young People
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Psychological Profile of Children and Young People with Medically Unexplained Visual Loss: An Exploratory Observational Study
IRAS ID
188895
Contact name
Annegret Dahlmann-Noor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Medically unexplained visual loss (MUVL) or functional visual loss is used to describe visual loss in the absence of any detectable lesion of the eyes or the visual pathways. Approximately 1% of paediatric ophthalmic referrals are for MUVL. We know that children and young people with other medically unexplained symptoms are more likely to have other difficulties like anxiety, low mood or behavioural problems, and these young people can benefit from talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy.
The aim of this study is to determine the proportion of children and young people with MUVL who have other psychological difficulties. We will recruit 20 children and young people aged 5-16 years presenting with MUVL at ophthalmology clinics at Moorfields Eye Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital. We will ask children and parents/carers to complete a brief screening questionnaire, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Those participants who score above threshold on this questionnaire will be asked to complete the Development and Wellbeing Assessment (DAWBA) and online questionnaire that asks about symptoms of common mental health problems. If scores on these questionnaires indicate that a child or young person is experiencing difficulties with anxiety, depression or behavioural problems, they will be invited to attend a face-to-face assessment (including an assessment of learning disabilities) with a Psychiatrist or Psychologist who will then refer the family for further treatment if necessary. Both the SDQ and DAWBA are routinely used in clinical settings with high acceptability, including with families with physical health problems.
We will collect relevant participant demographics and scores from the SDQ and DAWBA. Data will be analysed using descriptive statistics.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0837
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion