Testing a New Sight Test: The TaNSiT study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Polarization perception in health and disease. Testing a New Sight Test: The TaNSiT study
IRAS ID
224715
Contact name
Gary Misson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, months, days
Research summary
This is an exploratory 'proof-of-concept' study to determine the clinical value of a newly described visual phenomenon, polarization pattern perception (PPP), discovered by the principle investigator (Misson, G. P. et al. Vision Research (2015) 115, 48-57). PPP results from the perception of patterns of light polarization by the human eye and depends on a healthy macula, the most sensitive part of the retina of the eye. We aim to test the hypothesis that PPP is a sensitive indicator of macular function in health and disease. We further propose that PPP might be valuable for the diagnosis, monitoring and early detection of macular disease. The latter includes common blinding conditions such as age related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. We also wish to determine PPP in other eye disorders including other macular conditions, glaucoma and cataracts. It is also intended to investigate the effect of cataract surgery on PPP: cataract surgery modifies the optics of the eye so might also modify PPP.
To evaluate PPP we have devised a metric, polarization visual acuity (pVA), which is analogous to conventional visual acuity (cVA). pVA is measured in the same way as cVA but with a specially modified LCD monitor.
It is indented to recruit adult patients attending routine clinic appointments in the Machen Eye Unit, Warwick Hospital over a nine month study period. In addition to the routine tests all patients have when they attend the eye clinic, a further test will be performed in which volunteers will be asked to read letters on a modified computer LCD screen. The extra test will take approximately 5 minutes and will not interfere with the patient’s clinic attendance/ongoing care. The new test is passive, similar to conventional vision tests and has minimal risk.REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
17/WA/0180
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion