Glaucoma Within Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing

NCT ID: NCT03109665

Last Updated: 2019-03-21

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 129 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2017-03-02
• Study Completion Date: 2017-11-30

Brief Summary

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is caused by damage to the optic nerve between the back of the eye and the brain leading to progressive blindness. The cause is poorly understood but ageing, increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and genetics are all likely to play a role. There is no cure for glaucoma but treatments are available which slow progression. Because vision cannot be restored once lost, early detection, monitoring and early treatment are all essential to preserve visual function.

The condition is diagnosed using a combination of the appearance of the optic nerve on clinical examination or photograph and visual field testing (perimetry). Measurement of IOP and measurement of the thickness of the retinal layers at the back of the eye complement diagnostic decisions.

The Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA) study does not include perimetry in the series of tests carried out on all participants but does include photography of the optic nerve, measurement of IOP and measurement of retinal thickness. Therefore we propose to invite back participants of the NICOLA study who have abnormal optic discs and high eye pressure to return for perimetry to confirm a diagnosis of glaucoma. Calling back participants for perimetry is essential to make the diagnosis not only for estimating prevalence but also for identifying participant's ill-health.

The primary aim of this study is to quantify the number of participants in the NICOLA study who have glaucoma and report its risk factors. This will allow an estimate of the number of people in the whole of NI with glaucoma. We will also perform a series of novel tests using state-of-the-art technologies to assess if they are better than current tests at diagnosing glaucoma. This may enable better informed decisions about policy decisions in eyecare.

Detailed Description

Purpose and design: This study will answer the following research questions:

1. What is the prevalence of glaucoma within the NICOLA cohort and which systemic and socioeconomic factors influence its prevalence?

2. What is the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer (RNFL) thickness measurements in the diagnosis of glaucoma?

3. What is the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of macular thickness analysis in the diagnosis of glaucoma?

4. What is the agreement between intraocular pressure measurement by Ocular Response Analyser (ORA) and Goldmann tonometry?

5. What is the correlation between structural (circumpapillary RNFL or macular Ganglion Cell Complex thickness) or functional measurements (retinal oximetry or perimetry) and Optical Coherence Tomography angiography parameters (% vessel density and vessel calibre) in the assessment of glaucoma?

Conditions

Glaucoma

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: COHORT
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

Glaucoma within NICOLA

NICOLA study Participants Eligible for GwNICOLA by meeting inclusion criteria

SD-OCT Angiography

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

SD-OCT Angiography

SD-OCT

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

SD-OCT

Interventions

SD-OCT Angiography

SD-OCT Angiography

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

SD-OCT

SD-OCT

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Participants of the NICOLA study who gave permission to be contacted by the NICOLA study team in future and

2. Vertical cup to disc ratio ≥0.7 and/or inter-eye asymmetry ≥0.2 or neuroretinal rim ≤0.1 or intraocular pressure ≥25 mmHg.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Non English speakers or

2. Participants of the NICOLA study who did not give permission to be contacted by the NICOLA study team in future

• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Queen's University, Belfast

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Professor Augusto Azuara-Blanco

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Augusto Azuara-Blanco, PhD, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Queens University Belfast

Locations

Northern Ireland Clinical Research Facility

Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Countries

United Kingdom

Other Identifiers

B16/66

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id