The use of binocular OCT imaging for the assessment of ocular disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Prospective Single-Site Non-Interventional Exploratory Study using a Prototype Binocular Optical Coherence Tomography System for Imaging of Ocular Disease (Student Study)
IRAS ID
236625
Contact name
Pearse Keane
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
UCL Data Protection Registration, Z6364106/2018/01/49
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The use of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging in hospital eye clinics will be familiar to many people with chronic eye disease. OCT devices provide high-resolution images of the eye that help doctors to guide the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.
A new form of OCT device has recently been developed, termed “binocular” OCT. These devices are designed so both eyes can be used at once like a pair of binoculars. This allows patients to acquire the images from their own eyes without any help from a specialist. Secondly, the screens within the device can be used to display information to patients. This means that, in addition to seeing the eye, a binocular OCT device can do other eye tests. For example, it can be used to measure visual acuity (i.e., the size of letters on a chart that a patient can read), reactions of the pupils to light, or how each eye moves.
These new features may make the eye examination much quicker, more efficient, and reduce the waiting time for patients when they attend for appointments in eye clinics. In the longer-term, these devices may allow patients to look after their eyes in their own home, or by their local GP, pharmacy, or optician.
This study (the EXPLORE study) will allow us to determine that the instrument can be used for patients with different eye diseases. As this device can image many structures of the eye and with a greater depth range than most commercial OCT devices, we may be able to visualise features not previously imaged with other devices such as vitreous imaging, or imaging of cells in the ocular inflammatory conditions. In addition, the ability to combine structural and functional assessments in the same instrument may permit better examinations of ophthalmic disease compared to separate clinical tests.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0424
Date of REC Opinion
10 Apr 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion