Visual outcome of retinal oedema treatment v1.0

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Functional visual outcomes of retinal oedema and its standard management

• IRAS ID

  128193

• Contact name

  Sue Lightman

• Contact email

  s.lightman@ucl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  UCL

• Research summary

  Patients with macular oedema can lose a considerable amount of vision. The main causes of macular oedema are retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy and uveitis. In this prospective study, patients with macular oedema from these conditions will be recruited and their functional outcomes measured.
  The treatments for the macular oedema are determined by either NICE or clinical management protocols and are NOT part of this study. For example patients with retinal vein occlusion and macular oedema may or may not have laser treatment first and are then given ozurdex implants 4-5 monthly as required as are the NICE Guidelines. Patients with diabetic retinopathy causing macular oedema usually have laser treatment and may be give intraocular avastin as per the Surrey PCT agreement or Lucentis as guided by NICE when they fit. Patients with uveitis are not given laser but are treated with steroids either by mouth or in or around the eye.

  In this study we aim to look at the functional outcomes of the standard treatment given by measuring best corrected visual acuity (refracted) but also to look at outcome of functional tests which include speed of reading, placing keys into locks, identifying coins, identifying playing cards, entering PIN numbers into key pads. We will assess these every 6 months

  In addition in the clinic the patients routinely have an OCT (non-interventional) scan every 6-8 weeks to document the amount of fluid still present in the retina (oedema). We have purchased a new OCT scanner which in addition to measuring the amount of fluid will also map any defects or patches in vision (microperimeter) which are likley to impact on functional vision. These may be caused by the disease or also laser treatment can cause these.

  All these will be repeated at 6 monthly intervals for 2 years from date of recruitment

• REC name

  London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/LO/1005

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Jul 2013

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion