Differences in near and distance visual acuity in paediatric amblyopia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Relative difference between near and distance visual acuity in paediatric amblyopia
IRAS ID
189801
Contact name
Estelle Bishop
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Sheffield
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 14 days
Research summary
Is there a difference between near and distance levels of visual acuity (VA) in paediatric amblyopes aged 4-7 years?
Amblyopia (lazy eye) is defined as reduced visual function in one eye. It is the most common cause of reduced vision during childhood. Treatment for amblyopia comprises occlusion therapy during the critical period of visual development, which is accepted to occur between birth and 7 years.
The typical measurement of visual function to monitor amblyopia treatment responses is to measure visual acuity (VA), which is the smallest high-contrast identifiable size a person is able to distinguish. It is typically tested at distances of 3 meters or more. A number of vision charts have been designed to measure near VA (NVA) at distances around 0.3 meters. However, the wealth of literature reporting on outcome measures suggests distance vision (DVA) tests are most typically used than NVA tests. Little is known about whether near and distance vision levels are the same in children with amblyopia. The few existing reports conflict and have methodological limitations and therefore do not form a firm conclusion.
This study proposes to compare near and distance levels of vision in children aged 4-7 years with amblyopia. Two validated vision tests will be used; one letter based test and one picture test. Both tests have a distance and near version.
The study will be conducted across the two main sites at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Gloucester Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General. One observer will measure the VA of all participants and an age matched control group will be recruited.
The data collection period is anticipated to take 4 months.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0027
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion