The GHOST Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of structure and vascularity of glaucoma surgical sites using Optical Coherence Tomography (The GHOST Study)
IRAS ID
320918
Contact name
Neeru Vallabh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease, which at present is a leading cause of irreversible sight loss worldwide. At present, the only modifiable risk factor is intraocular (eye) pressure and hence the treatment of glaucoma aims to lower the intraocular pressure. This can be done either using eye drops, laser treatment or via more invasive glaucoma surgery (GS).
GS is often performed to achieve a greater lowering of intraocular (eye) pressure or when previous interventions e.g. eye drops, laser has failed to prevent the glaucoma worsening. GS, given this is an invasive procedure, is unfortunately associated with high rates of failure following the surgery, due to scarring and subsequent elevated intraocular pressure.
The aim of this study is to use imaging methods (including but not limited to: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and OCT-A (Angiography)) to objectively evaluate and measure the internal structures of the surgical site, as well as the optic nerve head, associated retinal (photosensitive tissue) and vascular structures (blood vessels) during the post-operative period following GS. The purpose being to identify features associated with risk of subsequent surgical failure as well as to evaluate changes seen after surgical intervention.
Secondary outcomes of this investigation are the evaluation of glaucoma surgery on the patient quality of life, properties of the cornea (transparent window at the front of the eye – including central thickness and endothelial cell density), eye length (axial length) as well as blood supply of the optic nerve head and the central retina (macula).
The results of this research will evaluate the role of routine imaging available in the post-operative period of GS, thus allowing the early detection of signs of failure and an increased understanding of normal structural and vascular changes to be observed in this post-operative period.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
24/NI/0089
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jul 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion