Aim

This project will look at testing a new imaging tool, called adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope, which images the layer at the back of the eye, the retina. This new tool uses specialist technology that measures how the light going in and out is bent by the different structures in the eye, and then corrects for this, which generates images that are of much higher quality. This allows the individual cells to be pictured, which was not previously possible.

This project will combine this new technology with existing clinical tests that measure the function of the retina, with clinical imaging that measures structure of the retina and with tests that measure how well a person can see (letter charts). These tests will be performed on patients with inherited retinal disease and in healthy controls.

The aim of this is to firstly, determine how successful imaging patients with visual loss is with this new tool. Secondly, to demonstrate what extra information can be gained from using this tool in retinal disease. Finally, to compare the retina’s cells in health and disease to determine how the presence of disease affects the cells at the back of the eye.

How VOICE members will help achieve these aims?

The involvement of those who have experience living with retinal disease will help us achieve these aims. We hope to use feedback to make our recruitment more successful by making sure we advertise our study accurately and understandably to patients with retinal disease. Secondly we hope to improve the imaging success by getting feedback on our study procedures from those who understand difficulties that come from vision loss associated with retinal disease. We also want to get feedback on how to make the sharing of our results accessible to those with visual loss, if they want to access this.