The Visual Effect of Glistenings on Vision (VEGoV) Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Visual Effect of Glistenings on Vision (VEGoV) Study
IRAS ID
228737
Contact name
David O'Brart
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
Glistenings are small, fluid-filled spaces that develop with time within most materials used to make lenses\nfor implantation in eyes (intraocular lenses) during cataract surgery. They typically develop within weeks to months following implantation surgery. Their number and size can vary. Studies that have been conducted to investigate the effect of glistenings on vision, have reported varying results with some documenting no effects on vision and others measurable changes. The conflicting results in such studies may be because the measurement methods of vision are insufficiently sensitive and/or only subjective measurements of the size , number and characteristics of glistenings are employed. Its is reasonable to hypothesise that glistenings have an effect on vision since they disrupt the passage of light when forming an image on the retina. We wish to investigate further the relationship between measures of vision and objective measures of glistenings to understand if and when glistenings are likely to cause visual problems. Previous laboratory work by our group (Professor Chris Hull at City University) supports this hypothesis, having developed a method of objectively analysing digital images of glistenings to quantify them. We plan to use a sophisticated array or computerised vision tests (contrast sensitivity/light scatter) to give us a more precise measurement of visual performance in the presence of glistenings. The study will be open to volunteers who have had uncomplicated cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. Subjects will be recruited from outpatients clinics at St Thomas’ and will undergo a slit-lamp examination including taking digital images of the glistenings as well as computerised visual testing. Participation should take 45 minutes. The results will help us investigate the relationship between glistenings and visual performance. Such information should provide information to intraocular lens manufactures and ophthalmologists to optimise patients’ visual performance after cataract surgery.
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1074
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion