Anatomical Localisation of Anterior Uveitis by Scanning (ATLAS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Anatomical Localisation of Anterior Uveitis by Scanning (ATLAS)
IRAS ID
276518
Contact name
Alastair Denniston
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Uveitis is an umbrella term for inflammation of the uvea, the pigmented layer of the eye, which is comprised of the iris, ciliary body and choroid. Anterior uveitis affects the front of the uvea – the iris and ciliary body. It is a common condition, with a prevalence of nearly 50 per 100,000 people, and has considerable morbidity, causing eye pain and reduction in visual acuity. It is common in working age people, and therefore has marked economic impact. Anterior uveitis is associated with a group of rheumatological conditions called the seronegative spondyloarthropathies, which include ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis among other conditions. Together they are among the most common autoinflammatory diseases. Entheses are locations where tendons join bones, and inflammation at these sites is a key feature of the seronegative spondyloarthropathies. Recent work has identified a population of immune cells in the entheses in mice that may be responsible for the inflammation. There are locations in the eye that may be thought of as ‘enthesis like’, including where muscles attach to the eye as well as places inside the eye where structures like the iris and the lens attach to the wall of the eye. It is hypothesised that an analogous population of immune cells may exist in these 'ocular entheses'.
Our aim is to use optical coherence tomography imaging and ultrasound scanning in patients during attacks of anterior uveitis to investigate these structures at the beginning of the attack as well as during treatment. Both imaging techniques are very safe. We aim to determine the anatomical origin of the inflammation in anterior uveitis. All adult patients presenting to the eye department with non-infectious uveitis limited to the anterior part of the eye will be eligible for inclusion.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NE/0210
Date of REC Opinion
7 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion