Choroidal reflectance camera for the detection of congenital cataracts
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Proof of concept trial of a novel imaging system to assess and document choroidal reflectance in infants for the detection of cataract and media opacities.
IRAS ID
159569
Contact name
Louise Allen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 3 days
Research summary
All babies born in the UK undergo eye screening at birth and 6-8 weeks to enable the early diagnosis and management of congenital cataract, a treatable but potentially blinding condition affecting 1 in 2000 newborns. The current technique involves the assessment of the "red reflex" - the orange/red glow in the pupil seen during ophthalmoscopy (or flash photography) due to reflectance of light from the back of the eye. In reality, testing can be technically difficult because the pupil constricts to light during the examination and , particularly in babies of Asian and Afro-Caribbean ancestry, the red-reflex can be dim due to the effect of ocular pigmentation. As a result less than 50% of congenital cataracts are currently identified up by screening. Early visual experience is required for good visual development and a delay in the surgical management of cataracts results in sub-optimal visual development and visual impairment.
The neonatal congenital cataract screening tests are performed by a range of healthcare professionals including nurses, midwives and doctors.
We have developed a new digital camera imaging system based on a modified mobile phone which improves the detection of choroidal reflectance, improving the pick up rate of cataract and other congenital eye malformations and allowing documentation of the examination and telemedicine of the digital image. We predict that this will facilitate screening and improve the early detection and management of congenital cataract worldwide.REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0010
Date of REC Opinion
1 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion