Using the iPad to detect visual field defects in stroke patients

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A comparison of the "visualFields easy" app for iPad with the Humphrey Visual Field Analyser to diagnose and classify visual field defects in patients post-stroke

  • IRAS ID

    188498

  • Contact name

    Jamie Spofforth

  • Contact email

    Jamiespofforth@gmail.com

  • Sponsor organisation

    University Of Sheffield

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 7 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    This research aims to address the question; Is the “visualFields easy” application (app) a useful tool to diagnose visual field defects in patients who have suffered a stroke?
    Visual field defect such as loss of peripheral vision is common after stroke. Identification and diagnosis of such loss can aid in the rehabilitation of stroke patients because it typically affect day-to-day activities such as walking and eating. It is important to test for these visual field defects, as there are no obvious signs when viewing or observing the eyes
    For standard visual field patient needs to have enough mobility to transfer to the eye clinic, be able to sit-up right at the automated fields testing machine, and concentrate for at least 20 minutes during the test. This is not possible in many patients following a stroke.
    There is therefore a need for a simple, fast, accurate and portable method of visual field testing; the visualfields easy application for iPad, if validated could be suitable.
    The test involves wearing an eye patch and looking at a red spot on the iPad screen. The participant then taps the screen or clicker if they see any dots of lights flash on the screen. The patient will then undergo peripheral vision testing with both the clinical standard visual field test, and the iPad visual field test under investigation
    It will take approximately 20-30 minutes to perform the standard clinical test of peripheral vision; in addition performing this additional type of visual field test will take approximately an additional 10- 15 minutes, over one visit to the eye clinic
    All patients referred to the visual fields testing service following a stroke will be eligible for enrolment, providing inclusion criteria are met.
    The study will take place in an acute hospital setting within Imperial College NHS trust.

  • REC name

    London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/LO/0102

  • Date of REC Opinion

    7 Jan 2016

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion