TERS study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Technology Enhanced Retina Services - a feasibility study
IRAS ID
280448
Contact name
Jeffry Hogg
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NIHR301467, NIHR reference number; NU-001515, Newcastle University reference number
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Eye disease is the main contributor to hospital clinic appointments in the NHS and is contributing more and more each year. The current workforce struggles to manage this demand as there are over 200 vacant ophthalmology consultant positions in the UK. There are no clear means of fixing this shortfall and so without change this imbalance between clinical demand and clinician supply we are heading for crisis. Within eye disease the major contributor to clinic appointments are those affecting the retina which often require series of injections. The timing of these is often decided on by looking at special photos of the retina. Software already exists that can independently analyse these photos with equal or greater accuracy than specialist retina consultants and although it has not been tested, it should also be able to monitor eye disease that has already been diagnosed by eye doctors. This study aims to see if modern day technology is capable of monitoring the treatment of retina diseases safely and independently. We aim to use old images from patients who have already received treatment to see what treatment plans software would have suggested on its own. We will then compare the real world clinical decisions against the technology led decisions to check them for safety. In addition we will interview patients, their carers, eye doctors and other professionals involved to see what they think would help and hinder the use of technology in clinic. If we can find a way of safely using technology like this to work for patients then we can safeguard care for patients in the future, even as demand continues to rise.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0138
Date of REC Opinion
4 May 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion